Join us on this episode of The Irish Snug Podcast as we sit down with one of the true legends of the bagpiping world, Eric Stein.
With nearly 60 years of involvement in the piping community, Eric has evolved from a young student in Long Island’s Saffron United pipe band to one of the most influential "impresarios" in modern solo piping. He’s the driving force behind legendary events like the Metro Cup, the Sun Belt Invitational, and the Ardmore Cup, creating stages where the world’s best pipers can compete and push the art form to new heights.

It’s an honest look at the hard work and love required to keep the piping community thriving today.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Early Years: How an 11-year-old kid from Long Island fell in love with the pipes and navigated the local band circuit.
• Building Stages: The origin story of the Metro Cup and why Eric felt it was necessary to innovate competition formats to keep them exciting for players and audiences alike.
• The Funding Struggle: A transparent look at the difficulty of securing sponsorships for the arts and why, unlike other musical disciplines, piping often struggles to attract large-scale commercial backing.
• The Future of Piping: The challenge of recruiting younger generations and the vital need for a "young rock star" or a fresh, startup-style approach to capture the modern imagination.
• Anecdotes from the Circuit: Stories of piping icons like Terry Tully, unforgettable pub sessions in Dublin, and the magic that happens when the competition ends and the real music begins.

Connect with Eric
Eric is actively looking for the next generation of leaders, collaborators, and potential sponsors who want to ensure the future of solo piping remains vibrant. If you have ideas, interest, or questions, you can reach out to him directly:
📧 Eric Stein Email: ericmstein53@gmail.com

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“The job is Irish.” In this episode of The Irish Snug Podcast, we pull up a stool with a true legend of the FDNY, Retired Chief of Department Ed Kilduff. Over a 37-year career, Chief Kilduff rose through the ranks—serving as a leader during the recovery efforts of 9/11 and eventually becoming the department's highest-ranking uniformed officer in 2010. He joins us to discuss the history, the grit, and the "commonality" that has defined the FDNY for over a century!

We step inside the "snug" for a deep dive into the DNA of the New York City Fire Department. Chief Kilduff shares the incredible story of his great-great-grandfather—a fireman/laborer—who served with the Fighting 69th during the Civil War. We explore how the grit and military tradition of these early Irish soldiers laid the vital groundwork for the FDNY to evolve into the world-class paramilitary organization it is today.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Commonality" of the Kitchen: Why the Irish were historically drawn to the fire service and how that cultural bond—defined by the stalwart presence of those who came before—shaped the department's unique humor, loyalty, and grit.
• Legacy of the Civil War: The story of John Kilduff and the 69th New York Infantry at the Siege of Petersburg.
• A Living Memorial: The Chief’s emotional visit to the Garden of Remembrance in Kinsale, Ireland, where 343 trees stand for our fallen brothers.
• The Heart and Soul: The pivotal role of the FDNY Emerald Society Bagpipe Band in rallying the department during times of mourning and celebration.
• Never Forget: A candid look toward the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the 250th anniversary of America—and how we keep the promise of "Never Forget" alive for the next generation.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Getting Salty Podcast (Chief Kilduff’s Career in Depth): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gibHMm61vE
• Support the Mission: Help keep the promise of Never Forget. Join the Tunnel to Towers Foundation for just $11 a month at http://t2t.org
• The Immortal Irishman by Timothy Egan: A must-read for any fan of Irish history.

If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the SUBSCRIBE button and the bell icon so you never miss a story from the Snug. Sláinte!

Follow The Irish Snug Podcast:
Website: https://www.theirishsnugpodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@irishsnug
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1V1xWuVTsJ13NpbcRIQrHW
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-irish-snug-podcast/id1842749209
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579093757528&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=lbRgbnHdrwCYz894&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1aKUFcBbxa%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irish_snug
#FDNY #IrishHeritage #NeverForget #Ireland

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-*DOCUMENTARY ON NEARY’S*
*Neary’s: The Dream at the End of the Rainbow*
https://www.amazon.com/Nearys-Dream-at-End-Rainbow/dp/B08B1MH7WJ

In this episode of The Irish Snug Podcast (formerly Pubs & Pints), host Tim Grant sits down with Una Neary to honor the incredible life of her father, the legendary Jimmy Neary, and the storied history of Neary’s on 57th Street.

For nearly 57 years, Neary’s was more than just a restaurant and pub; it was a cornerstone of New York City’s social and political fabric. From its opening on St. Patrick’s Day in 1967 to its final farewell in July 2024, the establishment remained a sanctuary of old-school hospitality, famous for its strict dress code, impeccable service, and the warm presence of Jimmy himself—a man who emigrated from Tubbercurry, County Sligo, with nothing but a dream and a legendary work ethic.

*Una joins Tim to pull back the curtain on what made Neary’s so special. They discuss:*
- *The Legacy of Jimmy Neary:* From his humble beginnings in Sligo to becoming one of New York’s most beloved hosts.
- *A Room Full of Legends:* Stories of the famous patrons who called Neary’s home, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, author Mary Higgins Clark, and countless giants of industry and politics.
- *The Neary’s Standard:* Why the dress code and the "customer first" philosophy never wavered in over half a century.
- *The End of an Era:* The difficult decision to close the doors and how the family is preserving the memory of a New York institution.

Pull up a stool and join us for a heartfelt conversation about family, the Irish-American experience, and the magic of this iconic establishment.

*Connect with The Irish Snug Podcast:*
* Website: https://www.theirishsnugpodcast.com/
* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@irishsnug
* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1V1xWuVTsJ13NpbcRIQrHW
* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-irish-snug-podcast/id1842749209
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579093757528&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=lbRgbnHdrwCYz894&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1aKUFcBbxa%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irish_snug

*About the Podcast:*
Hosted by a retired FDNY Captain, The Irish Snug Podcast features interviews with a wide range of guests—from pub owners and historians to musicians and local regulars. While it deeply honors Irish and Irish-American roots, the podcast is open to anyone with a compelling story tied to Irish culture, pub culture, folklore and history.

The episodes often blend personal anecdotes with cultural insights, capturing the "craic" and the timeless tradition of sharing a pint and a tale.

#Nearys #IrishHeritage #NYC #JimmyNeary #TheIrishSnug #Podcast #Storytelling #IrishAmerican #NYCRegulars #Sligo #PubCulture

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