Fitzpatrick, Author at Fitzpatrick

St. Patrick’s Day in New York

Posted on January 26, 2024January 26, 2024 by Fitzpatrick

St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of Irish culture and if you are in New York for March 17^th you are in for a treat as the city celebrates everything Irish. The date is marked by the death of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s most celebrated patron saint who brought Christianity to Ireland.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

There are a number of events being held throughout the week and on St. Patrick’s Day itself, the most famous and noteworthy being the St. Patrick’s Parade. New York is the host of the world’s oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade taking place every year since 1762, before the declaration of Independence was even signed! The parade is one of the biggest events in New York in March, it starts at 11 am on 5^th Avenue and runs between 44^th and 79^th. It marches past a number of New York attractions such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Central Park, before finishing at around 5:00 pm at the American Historical Society at East 80^th Street. Pop on your finest green attire and celebrate one of New York’s oldest traditions.

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Open Day

Join the Irish Arts Centre as it welcomes visitors with open arms for a fun filled day celebrating Irish culture. Visitors can enjoy watching traditional dance and music performance, they will also have the opportunity to learn how to play the tin whistle and pick up a few words in Gaelic Ireland’s native language, as well as some football skills. With face painting as well as Irish music, dancing, craft workshops and a delicious Irish tea flowing, this is set to be a day the whole family will enjoy.

Sober St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrate the Irish Culture without the Irish Whiskey’s and pints of Guinness at the St. Patrick’s Youth Center Gym. There will be just as much Irish fun with Irish step dancers, traditional music, food and refreshments and more. Acts will include John Whelan Band, Fiddler Dylan Foley and dancing by the Donny Golden School of Irish Dance. Located at 270 Mulberry Street. Don’t miss out and join in the fun.

St. Patrick’s Day at Fitzpatrick Hotels

In Fitzpatrick Hotels we are marking the occasion with a week long festival celebrating all things Irish. Join us in the Fitz or the Wheeltapper and not only will you receive a great Irish welcome, depending on the day, there will complimentary samples of whiskey offered on arrival or activities such as Irish cocktail making classes. The Wheeltapper, which was named one of the Top 5 Irish restaurants in NYC by Time Out NY Magazine will be holding its annual Party All Day Long on St. Patrick’s Day with our special St. Patrick’s Day Menu full of Irish specialties. Help us celebrate all things Irish and join us for a mighty good time!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all at Fitzpatrick Hotels New York.

Family Friendly President Day Activities When Visiting New York

Posted on January 26, 2024January 26, 2024 by Fitzpatrick

Presidents’ Day weekend has arrived! If you are visiting New York for the weekend you are in for a treat as it is Presidents’ day weekend. This public holiday is celebrated every year on the third Monday of February. This holiday was originally dedicated to the first President of the United States, George Washington, but now this day is an occasion to honor all persons who have served as President. There are a number of events and activities happening in New York over the course of the weekend. We have created a list of the best kid friendly activities for this long weekend.

The New York Historical Society Museum and Library

The New York Historical Society are holding a number of President themed events over the long weekend. There will be a Presidential Scavenger Hunt daily, kids of all ages can search for images and objects relating to presidential history inside the museum. Children will also be able to show off their creative flair by making portraits of Presidents allowing them to flex their arts and crafts skills. For more details click here.

The Big Quiz Thing’s Presidents’ Day Family Trivia

This quiz is a fun and challenging quiz on U.S history with a focus on past, present, and future U.S. presidents. Kids ages 6 and up and their parents take part in “figureoutable” trivia questions and video and audio puzzles (everyone gets to play), culminating in the stupendous Buzzertastic Finale. There are fantastic prizes from the New York Historical Society.
This event is hosted by Andy Peeke and is a fun activity for all the family. For more details click here.

Teddy Bears for Teddy Roosevelt at the Museum of the City of New York

A little known fact is that teddy bears got their names from Teddy Roosevelt. Celebrate Presidents’ Day at the Museum of the City of New York, where you can learn about President Roosevelt’s time as the Police Commissioner of New York, discover his friendship with Jacob Riis and make your very own teddy bear. This event is educational and fun and kids will love it. Suitable for ages 6-12, it runs from 11am – 5pm with entry free with museum admission.
For more details click here.

After your activity packed day, you can relax in your oasis of calm in the Fitzpatrick Manhattan or Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel. Book and stay before March the 5th and receive 20% off for Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel.

Meet John Fitzpatrick

Posted on January 26, 2024January 26, 2024 by Fitzpatrick

John Fitzpatrick, is a well known hotelier and philanthropist, and owner of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group New York. He was born in Dublin, and with his father, brothers and sisters worked in many of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group’s Irish hotels in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He has called New York home since he opened the doors of the Fitzpatrick Manhattan in December 1991. The Fitzpatrick Manhattan hotel, was the only Irish owned and operated hotel in New York. Today, Fitzpatrick Manhattan and it’s sister hotel, Fitzpatrick Grand Central are still the only Irish owned and operated properties in Manhattan.

John learnt everything about the hotel business from his father, Paddy Fitzpatrick, who worked in many hotels in Ireland prior to buying the Killiney Castle Hotel in Dublin. He soon added the Fitzpatrick Shamrock Hotel in Bunratty, County Clare, and the Fitzpatrick Silver Springs in Cork. His mother Eithne, a former Miss Ireland, was also hugely influential on his career. She worked with his father on building up the family business and on every aspect the hotels interior design.

The second eldest of Paddy and Eithne’s five children, John wanted to get international experiences, and headed to the United States at an early age. He worked in various cities including Las Vegas and Chicago, before he come back to the family business in Ireland. In 1990 he returned to New York to look for a suitable property to renovate and turn into a Fitzpatrick Hotel. To save money he stayed in the empty hotel during construction, padlocking the door after the crews went home at night. The hotel opened its doors in December 1991. The hotel has become hugely popular with heads of state, Irish stars and the Hollywood A-list alike. Due to its success, a couple of years later John opened another New York hotel – The Fitzpatrick Grand Central.

Such is John’s reputation in the hospitality industry that he has served terms as chairman of the New York Hotel Association, chairman of the American Hotel and Lodging Association and is currently chairman of The Ireland Funds.

When his parents passed away, John decided to commemorate her with an annual golf tournament. To date this event has raised millions of dollars, these funds have been used to support various charities including Corrymeela Centre, County Antrim, Barrettstown, County Wicklow, and Barnardos. All of the funds are distributed via the Paddy & Eithne Memorial Fund.