New York based publisher, businessman and entrepreneur Paddy McCarthy is living proof that you can take the man out of Cork but you'll never take Cork out of the man. Owner of Nevada Smith's Bar in Manhattan and publisher of both Irish Connections magazine and The Irish Examiner newspaper, Paddy is confident that the Rebel County will end their 20-year barren spell by scooping the Sam Maguire Cup on Sunday evening at Croke Park. 

On Saturday August 7th 2010, at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Douglas, the County Cork Benevolent, Patriotic and Protective Association, AKA New York's Cork Association, celebrated its 125th anniversary banquet. Ballyphehane native and former Corkman of the Year Paddy McCarthy was Guest of Honour at the landmark function, alongside his fellow award-winning Corkman Geff O'Sullivan.

Both honourees were feted by the Association for their outstanding work in promoting the Rebel County in the Big Apple over the past quarter of a century and more. Paddy McCarthy is the epitome of the legendary Irish immigrant in the States, espousing the wit and initiative that set him apart as a true Rebel. A professional drummer at the time, noted for his role in the band "Sunset", Paddy emigrated to NY in 1982 and - like many Irishmen - served his apprenticeship behind the bar, working his way up to now own Nevada Smith's Bar in Manhattan.

But Paddy also had an eye for publishing and is now the publisher of the prestigious Irish Connections magazine as well as The Irish Examiner newspaper in New York, which he established in 2006 and has developed into the fastest-growing newspaper in the USA. Paddy - who is a long-serving member of County Cork Association and an extremely proud Corkman - cut his teeth in the publishing world as an advertising director with The Irish Voice. He was voted as the Association's Corkman of the Year in 2006.

The New York County Cork Association serves as Cork people's home away from home in New York. Founded in 1884, the Association brings Irish people together to promote unity, good will and protection amongst its members and to foster their culture and traditions. The need for the Cork Association today is as strong as it was when founded by a visionary group of men from Cork City. The Association continues to do good work for the Irish in New York as well as supporting various charitable events back home in County Cork. Paddy McCarthy was delighted and humbled to be honoured by the Association at its 125th anniversary banquet, and also to be recognised by the Lord Mayor of Cork at a civic reception in the city hall on the preceding Friday. All in all, it made for an unforgettable trip home for the loyal Leesider who concedes:

"My heart has always been in Cork. I have many great friends there and I will always consider myself a Corkman first and foremost. [Cork GAA legend] Billy Morgan is amongst my friends back home and I was truly honoured when Billy turned up at the civic reception in the city hall on August 6th." Some of Paddy's other notable GAA acquaintances back home in the old sod include the likes of Gerald McCarthy and Denis Allen, whom he knew in his school days, as well as the inimitable Jimmy Barry Murphy. These are the sort of ties that are never severed, especially by a man who holds the Rebels so dear to his heart.

Regarding his beloved Cork's impending clash with Down in the 2010 All-Ireland SFC decider, Paddy notes: "Twenty years is a long time for the Cork footballers to go without a senior title. I came over to New York in '82 and it's hard to believe we've been waiting 20 years to win an All-Ireland. The 1990 success seems like only yesterday, but we're certainly due another! I'm confident Cork will do the right thing in the final.

"I genuinely think this is going to be their year. They've done brilliantly so far and I fancy them to finish the job this weekend. The buzz is unbelievable over here in New York. If I don't get home for the final, I'll watch it in Long Island. The excitement over here is always great when Cork are playing in a big match. There's a massive Cork contingent here. We are one of the few counties that own our own club, with between 600 and 700 members in the Cork Association. I've been a member myself since 1983, having been introduced by Joe Murphy, who's very well known in GAA circles."

Paddy's Irish Connections magazine is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, an occasion which was marked by a nice letter from Irish President Mary McAleese as well as acknowledgement from many dignitaries from the GAA and business worlds. Four years ago, Paddy launched The Irish Examiner in New York. A weekly newspaper which goes to press late on Monday nights and hits the shelves on Tuesday mornings, The Irish Examiner marries a healthy mix of Irish and Irish-American news. Available all along the East coast, from Boston to Chicago, and geared specifically towards an Irish-American audience, the paper will celebrate its fifth birthday in February. The Irish Examiner is providing serious competition to The Irish Echo and The Irish Voice and is well on its way towards its goal of becoming the No.1 Irish-American publication. There also exists a digital, online edition and this alone currently has 18,000 subscribers and growing…

Football and hurling have always been very important to Paddy and these have regularly accounted for the cover story in The Irish Examiner, no more so than this week with the Rebels on the verge of history! Though he readily admits that he was never a great player himself, Paddy has supported the national games fervently all his life and has made many great lifelong friends within the GAA. "I'm a huge sports enthusiast and gaelic games in particular are a big part of my life," he confirms.

Paddy was particularly proud to see the success of the seventh annual North American Youth championships at Eisenhower Park, Long Island during the last weekend of July 2010. GAA president Christy Cooney was amongst the dignitaries in attendance as some 400 teams from all over America competed for silverware in both football and hurling.

Next year's St Patrick's Day parade in New York will be the 250th and Paddy McCarthy is on the organising committee for both the parade itself (which will hopefully have a certain Mrs McAleese as Grand Marshall) and the Gala Ball on March 15th. As intimated at the outset, Irish heritage, culture and identity are of vital importance to this Cork native, who's doing more than his fair share in promoting Irishness in New York.

SUPPORTED BY:
TIPPERARY GAA CLUB NEW YORK
ANDY COONEYS CRUISE OF IRISH STARS
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