The Hudson River displayed a particularly greenish hue last Wednesday as New York’s Irish came out in force for the “Celtic Cruise,” a fundraising event set up by AOH Division 7’s Celtic Charity to benefit the Emerald Isle Immigration Center- an organization whose fine work in their Queens and Bronx offices has so greatly helped Immigrants on these shores, both new and old alike since its founding in 1988.
Held aboard the glamorous cruiser The Spirit of New York, the attendees were greeted at Pier 62 by a be-kilted Irish bag-piper who played as guests embarked. Once safely aboard, the open bars across three floors of music, food, and free flowing conversation did much to help make this a night to remember for over four hundred passengers who had come out to show their support for a very worthy cause.
With music outside on the top deck provided by the Shay Mac Band, and more musical entertainment coming later from The Chris Kelly Band, The Cunningham Brothers and Celtic Cross, the dance floor saw more than its fair share of jigs and reels as the evening wore on and night began to fall on Manhattan. Crowds took in the sight of the city’s breathtaking skyline from the ships decks with glasses in hand, and even after having taken its happy passengers the length of the Hudson and back for over 3 hours people were reluctant to leave the ship as she began to make her return journey.
As they disembarked, all involved couldn’t help but remark on the cruise being such a huge success. Not only were all aboard suitably entertained, but the reason for the event was never far from people’s minds either, with the Emerald Isle Immigration Center’s Executive Director Siobhan Dennehy remarking how grateful we are to be the beneficiaries of the Celtic Cruise this year as the needs of our programs have grown throughout the recent downturn in the economy and every penny earned will go to protecting our current portfolio of services.