Navigating New York Sophie Colgan

On this Episode I speak to one of Irish America’s greatest and most respected writers; Peter Quinn. 
Peter is a Novelist, Political Historian, and Foremost Chronicler of New York City. Peter was hired in 1979 by  Governor Hugh Carey as his chief speechwriter. He continued in that role under Governor Mario Cuomo, helping craft the Governor's 1984 Democratic Convention speech and his address on religion and politics at Notre Dame University. Peter was also chief speechwriter for Time, as well as editorial director for Time Warner, and found an avocation in writing about his Irish heritage. In his first novel, Banished Children of Eve, he explores the after-effects of the vast Irish immigration into New York City following the famine of 1847. Banished Children of Eve won an American Book Award.
Looking for Jimmy: In Search of Irish America, a collection of non-fiction pieces, was published in 2007. Colum McCann has summed up Quinn's trilogy of historical detective novels -- Hour of the Cat(2005), The Man Who Never Returned (2010), and Dry Bones (2013) –have been described  as "generous and agile and profound." 
Quinn co-wrote the script for the 1987 television documentary "McSorley's New York," which was awarded a New York-area Emmy for "Outstanding Historical Programming." He has participated as a guest commentator in several PBS documentaries, including The Irish in America; New York: A Documentary Film; The Life and Times of Stephen Foster, as well as the Academy Award-nominated film, The Passion of Sister Rose. He was also an advisor on Martin Scorsese's film Gangs of New York.
Peter’s knowledge of Irish America is unparalleled and his recent memoir “Cross Bronx” is a one-of-a-kind account of his adventures as ad man, archivist, teacher, Wall Street messenger, court officer, political speechwriter, corporate scribe, and award-winning novelist. Quinn is a New Yorker through and through and it was a great honor to have him as a guest on the Podcast. 
 
www.newyorkpaddy.com

I am really excited to introduce my guest for this episode, the one and only, Damien Dempsey. It was a dream come true to get to have this chat with Damien, described by many as the "Voice of a Generation."
If you’re a Damo fan, you’ll know that his song “Apple of My Eye” is all about his love for New York City - and in our conversation he tells me about how coming here as a young musician helped him to believe in himself and how he met some of his greatest friends and mentors here in the City.
 As a young musician in Dublin, Damien felt that people looked down on him for writing songs about the social issues of modern-day Ireland, and for singing in his own accent. These are two important attributes that have come to define Damien as an Artist.
When he was in his twenties, Damien came to New York and played his songs in the famous Manhattan bar ‘Rocky Sullivan's’ – which attracted an eclectic group of artists, writers, NYPD officers, lawyers and politicians back in the day. Rocky’s  was owned by a mutual friend of ours – retired NYPD Chief of Homicide and proud Irish American, Brian McCabe, who kindly made this episode possible. 
 When I started this podcast I had a list of ‘dream guests’ and Damien Dempsey was one of them - so I am beyond grateful that I got to have him on
 In this episode Damien speaks honestly about the shame and guilt we have been forced to feel as a Nation, His respect for the Irish that travelled the world and set down a framework for future generations and the importance of spirituality, of travelling the world and how music can help us through life.
I really got so much from this conversation with Damo and I hope you find some comfort and inspiration from his message. 

My Guest on this Episode is the hilarious New York Based Irish Comedian, Katie Boyle. Katie moved to New York 8 years ago and did her first ever stand-up show here. She is now a regular at New York Comedy Club, Stand Up NY, Eastville and on shows at Caroline's on Broadway – Katie also recently taped a Comedy Special and she also has her own hilarious podcast called 'The Shift.'
Katie is absolutely hilarious and yet humble, it has been so inspiring to watch her thrive on the Comedy Scene in NY. Make sure you check out Katie's shows in NY and she will also be performing in Dublin at Whelan's this Christmas. Follow her on instagram @katieboylecomic and check our her website: katieboylecomic.com
I really admire how Katie talks openly about going to therapy and the service she mentions is called Valera Health and is both accessible, and affordable - you can get a free consultancy by going to valerahealth.com (this sounds so sponsored!)
Now, for my conversation with the brilliant Katie Boyle…

On this week’s Episode I speak to MacDara Hosty a man I had the pleasure of meeting this Summer in NY when he was here to launch Project Empower.
In June of 2022 lifelong Galway friends Damian Browne and Fergus Farrell set off on an unsupported row in a 6 meter boat across the Atlantic from New York City to Galway to raise money for four important Charities: Ability West, Galway Simon Community, MADRA Dog Rescue and NRH Foundation

 However, after two weeks out at Sea due to a serious medical condition Fergus had to be rescued from the Boat and Project Empower has since been 1 man rowing now for about 3 months across the Atlantic. Toward the end of this week, Damian Browne is set to finally complete Project Empower and row in to Galway Bay!
MacDara has been pivotal in the Project Empower Team and helped to oversee much of the preparation, fundraising and management of this unique project. I talk to Mac about how Project Empower came about, Damian and Gussy’s own inspirational stories,  the challenges throughout the Project, how inspirational it has been to be able to track the journey live and the penultimate homecoming for Damian in Galway this weekend. 
 
If you want to support Project Empower go to projectempower.ie
Follow along on Instagram @projectempower2022
And I highly recommend checking out Damián's podcast, live from the Atlantic called Deep Roots.

Also if you happen to be in the West of Ireland this weekend, Damian’s approximate homecoming time will be posted on the project empower socials. - right now they are estimating between Friday Sept 30 - Sunday October 2nd.
Also to get in touch with MacDara: MAC@MACDARAHOSTY.COM
www.macdarahosty.com

On this episode of Navigating New York I speak to Freya Drohan, Executive Fashion Director at The Daily Front Row. Freya is from Malahide in Dublin and has been living in New York for 7 Years. After graduating with a degree in Journalism, Freya moved to New York with the dream of becoming a fashion journalist. Freya is now a  Director at one of the most prestigious and respected digital and print Fashion Magazines in the Industry. Earlier this year the Irish Independent listed her as one of "17 Irish people killing it on the world stage" 
 Freya is refreshingly honest about the hard work and determination it has taken to get to where she is today, as well as the realities of working at A List Fashion events, how fashion marketing has changed the industry, and how important it is to get your foot in the door.
Freya’s passion for what she does and her love for New York City really makes her the perfect guest for this podcast.  Although her job is incredibly demanding and the fashion industry moves at a pace like no other, Freya acknowledges that she is doing what she once dreamed of doing.  One thing she said that really stood out to me was “its hard work – but we all have the ability to work hard” 
We chat about the grind and hustle it takes to "make it" in New York, the importance of having good people around you, what makes New York so special - and Freya nailed my newest topic “Life Hacks for living in NYC!”
 
I hope you get as much from this conversation as I did!

Alexa, play "Back in the New York Groove" by Ace Frehley
Long time no speak folks! Great to get back on the mic to interview  a brilliant guest, the one and only Máirtín Ó Muilleoir.
Máirtín  is owner of New York based newspaper The Irish Echo, he is also publisher of the Belfast Media Group which produces a number of newspapers in and around Belfast. 
Máirtín is a former Lord Mayor of Belfast and former Sinn Fein MLA for South Belfast In this episode he tells the story of being barred from the Lord Mayor’s parlour in the 1980s and how he went on to become Lord Mayor in 2014. 
 At his core Máirtín  is a connector and is an advocate for civil rights and public service journalism. His work in building connections between Northern Ireland and the U.S. is truly remarkable.  Máirtín  and his team run 3 transatlantic conferences each year connecting individuals, cultural groups and businesses in the US and Ireland. One of which is coming up this Friday 19th of August in Iona University in New Rochelle New York – The Big Irish Campfire. I hope you enjoy this chat with Mairtin.
For more on the Campfire visit Irishecho.com