IBO member Maura Clare of Smuggling Nun Irish Poitin has been nominated for a Connecticut Entrepreneur Award - and you can help her win!

See all the details and vote on the Connecticut Entrepreneur Awards website.

A few excerpts from her nomination:

Maura Clare founded Long Arm Distributing to fulfill her dream of producing, importing and marketing premium Irish poitín--one of the world's most ancient liquors and the hippest, new spirit around. LAD's high standards are evident not only in the finest-tasting poitín, but reflected in superior package design, uplifting marketing messaging and innovative distribution practices. This has allowed LAD to punch above its weight in a market dominated by large corporations.

Although she only moved back to the area 18 months ago, Maura has jumped wholeheartedly into the CT entrepreneur community. Within this short time she has launched her exciting new spirit Smuggling Nun, the best on the market of the ancient Irish 'moonshine' poitin, has become an active and enthusiastic member at District CoWork and an inspiring member of the local Irish-American community. Her enthusiasm, spirit, along with her knowledge and dedication make her an extraordinary entrepreneur.

Good luck, Maura! 

Vote for Maura Clare on the Connecticut Entrepreneur Awards - votes accepted through March 6.

Follow Maura Clare on LinkedIn.

The NYC St Patrick's Day Parade has announced an event on Sunday, February 27 in Queens to install the Grand Marshall and Aides. Here's the scoop, from their website:

The 2022 Grand Marshal and Aides Reception

Despite recent challenges, we are moving forward in planning the 2022 NYC St Patrick’s Day Parade. We, therefore, cordially invite you to join us for the Grand Marshal and Aides Installation Reception!

Sunday, February 27, 2022
Antun’s 96-43 Springfield Boulevard
Queens Village, NY.

This is the only event on the Parade calendar that offers an opportunity to honor both the Aides to the Grand Marshal and the Grand Marshal, James T. Callahan for the historic 261st NYC St Patrick’s Day ParadeTM.

We look forward to an afternoon that will include a buffet dinner, open bar, and music by Gerry Finlay and the Cara Band.

Visit their website to RSVP. 

The Irish Echo is calling for nominations for its 2022 40 Under 40. From their website: 

The Irish Echo is proud to present the 15th annual Irish Top 40 Under 40 Awards, which will take place on Friday, February 25, 2022.

This hugely popular event is a celebration of Irish and Irish Americans who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of work before reaching the age of forty.

We will be honoring the up and coming personalities of Irish America from every walk of life, and from every part of the nation.

Our Top 40 Under 40 will spotlight the up-and-coming leaders of Irish America from around the nation who work in a variety of fields and occupations.

NOMINATE for 2022

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS – Tuesday, February 1, 2022

See the Irish Echo website for more information.

We have no doubt there are potential nominees among our membership! If you nominate a member, do note their IBO membership on the nomination form. 

Several Irish women in New York have organized a run/walk in memory of Aisling Murphy, the young woman murdered earlier this month in Tullamore. The walk will take place in Central Park on Sunday, January 23 at 4 pm, followed by a gathering at Avoca House

From IrishCentral.com:

The event will begin at the Boat House in Central Park at 4 pm on Sunday, and there will be a gathering in Avoca at 1678 1st Avenue afterward for refreshments and raffles. There is a suggested donation of $30 to participate in the event, with 100% of proceeds going to Women's Aid Ireland, which works to stop domestic violence against women and children. Sign up online.

https://www.irishcentral.com/news/community/ashling-murphy-charity-new-york-city

Kathleen Fanning sends along two bits of interesting news, all the way from Tipperary! 

On 27th January, I will be hosting a free Mini-Workshop entitled ‘Make the Most of 2022 - Boost your Mental Fitness’. I’ll be co-facilitating with Florida Executive Coach and EQ Trainer, Dr. Doni Landefeld who will share insights and tips on Cultivating Optimism. Come along - and/or share with a friend - and learn how to find the Gift or Opportunity in everything that happens in the coming year. Sounds like a stretch but it works!!

January 27 | 10 AM EST | 3 PM Irish time.

Register for this free mini-workshop on invest-in-yourself.ie.

Also, my new Journal: Fill Your Well - Your 30 Day Journey of Resilience is available on Amazon.com US or Amazon.co.uk. It’s a great gift for yourself or someone you care about!

IBO Member and NY Irish Centre Executive Director George Heslin brings us the exciting news that the The New York Irish Center will host the second Battle of the Orgs! Table Quiz on Thursday, February 24, 2022, from 7-9 pm.

The Battle of the Orgs! Table Quiz will put to the test all of New York's Irish organizations to see which ones will reign supreme. Sign up your organization for an evening of trivia, banter, and bragging rights. Solace House won the first Battle of Orgs and will be looking to defend the title!

See NewYorkIrishCenter.org for more. 

IMBOLG - St. Brigid's Day 2022 

IBO-NY is pleased to share the following local community IMBOLG - St. Brigid’s Day events: 

• Monday, January 31, 2022 @ 6 pm Nollaig Na mBan NY Celebration join Maura Mulligan and Mary Courtney for an in-person celebration of St. Brigid and the start of the spring season in Ireland at The Landmark Tavern 626 11th Ave ( between 48th & 49th St.) PDF attached 

• Tuesday, February 1, 2022 @ 7:00 PM NYIC Celebrates the feast of St. Brigid St. Brigid Documentary Screening & Cross Making — New York Irish Center

• Save the Date: Sunday, February 22, 2022 for IBO Women’s Networking St. Brigid event! 

• Follow @HerStoryIreland and read about its successful campaign to make  #BrigidsDay Ireland's new annual national holiday @ 2023. Finally we have a day in celebration of all women, our Celtic Goddess, Matron Saint & #Imbolc, ancient festival of Spring. https://twitter.com/HerstoryIreland/status/1466674576515993604?s=20

• Follow @ToBeIrish to celebrate St. Brigid's Day and welcome Spring with a programme of events from around the world. Click the link to learn more about registering an event → bit.ly/SBDRegister https://twitter.com/tobeirish/status/1483116438386884609?s=21

It Is What It Is author and IBO Women’s Networking Committee Member Maureen Edwards kept busy writing last summer and entered the Mentoring Writers Summer 2021 Writing Competition.

A panel of independent judges chose two of Maureen’s Chick Lit and three Contemporary Fiction short stories were selected as “best of the best” :

• Hot Date
• Boys at the Beach
• In Trouble Again
• Habits Die Hard
• Pandemic Picnic

Congratulations Maureen!

Order your copy today locally from Golden Lab Bookshop | Queens, NY. Also enjoy a curated collection of diverse and inclusive novels in person at:

Side B
36-12 34th Ave
Astoria, NY 11106

Mentoring Writers 2021 Short Story Book (Paperback) | Golden Lab Bookshop

Learn more about Maureen’s mentee experience with Ann Brady of Mentoring Writers: In Conversation With... Dr Maureen Edwards on Youtube.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 @ 7:00 PM 

IBO Global Member MacDara Ó Conaola, a singer and seanchai from the Aran Islands, will perform in conjunction with the Irish American Heritage Museum Currach exhibition, bringing the history to life through traditional stories and songs. 

Register for the Zoom today!

Build Your Dream Network author Kelly Hoey is true friend of the IBO and former guest speaker in 2018 — IBO Women’s Networking inaugural year. Back then, Kelly treated IBO Women’s Networking to some of her networking gems, explained how she is rebranding the essential soft skill, and shared how her network-building advice is relatable, instilling confidence with actionable insights and practical information. 

Fast forward to January 2022, #BYDN celebrates its 5th birthday and second #CovidBirthday, and Kelly is giving the gifts: a free 70-page Build Your Dream Network Book Bonus. 

Kelly interviewed IBO Women’s Networking’s and Sober St. Patrick's Day® Executive Director Tami Ellen McLaughlin  — who had started with SSPD just about two months into the pandemic in 2020 — to do a #BYDN checkup.

Read more on LinkedIn!