Cavan Native's Memoir, Never Say I Can't, Will Benefit Autism Research

John Clancy Recounts Travels from Ballyconnnell to Melbourne and to His Adopted Hometown of New York City. By John Mooney

During his 78 adventure-filled years, sailor-actor-restaurateur and unofficial Cavan tourism ambassador John Clancy has lived a life like few others.  

Born in Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan, he sailed away from home as a teenager, viewed the Melbourne Olympics, worked at the legendary Toots Shor's Saloon in Manhattan, ran his own successful restaurant in Ireland.

For the past decade, he has been a fixture as a host at Foley’s NY Pub & Restaurant (18 W. 33rd St.), which is run by his son, Shaun.

For years, "Papa John," as he is lovingly called, was told he should write a book about his life. So at age 77, he sat down to do it.  Proceeds from the self-published Never Say I Can't will benefit Enable Ireland, which helps parents of young children who have been diagnosed with disabilities such as autism. The organization provides free services to children and their parents at 40 locations in 14 counties to help them plan for each life stage.

“My dad has lived an incredible life. and many of our friends and customers throughout the years have told him he should write a book.  I am so proud that he has done it,” said Shaun Clancy, owner of Foley’s, New York's most popular baseball bar.  "The people he has met comprise a literal 'Who's Who' of American icons, such as Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Gleason, Marilyn Monroe, and Yogi Berra."

The elder Clancy hosted Albert Finney, Sean Penn, and numerous other celebrity visitors when he ran the Derragarra Inn, one of the best known restaurants on the island of Ireland.  Over the years he has matched wits with Irish politicians including Charles Haughey, Garret Fitzgerald, Albert Reynolds, Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen, and Enda Kenny.

In his book, Clancy details encounters with music legends including Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Ronnie Drew and the Dubliners, and Bob Geldolf, whom Clancy met when he and the Boomtown Rats singer were guests on the Late Late Show with Gay Byrne.

Never Say I Can't is a funny and heartfelt book documenting one man's emigrant experience as a sailor, maitre d', restaurateur, actor and volunteer tourism officer for his native Cavan.  Among the anecdotes: watching Jackie Gleason and Toots Shor race around the block and establishing the award-winning Derragarra Inn.

In August, Clancy will be heading home to his Ireland and signing copies of the book at a tea party at the Ballyconnell Community Center on Friday, August 16.  His three daughters and nine grandchildren will also be attending.  He also will take part in "The Biggest Handshake" in  Butlersbridge on Sunday, August 4, when the town will welcome home all its past emigrants at part of The Gathering 2013 tourism initiative.

Never Say I Can't (soft cover) by John Clancy (2013. Self published. 240 pages. $15 + handling) is available in person at Foley's NY Pub & Restaurant, 18 W. 33rd St., New York, NY 10001. (212) 290-0080.  It will also soon be available at www.foleysny.com.  The book is for sale in Ireland at the Realta Bookstore in Ballyconnell, and other retail outlets throughout Co. Cavan. For further inquiries about book purchases, email weejohnclancy@aol.com

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