Update on plan for Limerick man to lead 2025 New York St Patrick's Day parade
Michael Benn to be grand marshal of 264th New York City St Patrick’s Day parade
A LIMERICK man has formally been 'introduced' as the grand marshal of the massive St Patrick's Day Parade in New York City next year.
Attracting more than two million spectators, the parade in the Big Apple is the largest in the world.
A proud Treaty native, Michael was born in Limerick city in 1948.
At the age of 14, he emigrated to the United States, where he completed his second level education at Cardinal Hayes High School at the Bronx in New York City.
He served as a sargeant in the US Army between 1969 and 1972.
Michael is married to Christina, another Limerick native.
Happily married for 53 years after meeting in the Bronx, they have six children: Michael, Richard, William, Brendan, Patrick and Tara.
The businessman, who heads up Clenn Construction, which pioneered the building of modular housing locally and internationally, was formally appointed as grand marshal at a meeting in the American Irish Historical Society's headquarters in Fifth Avenue.
A proud union man, Mr Benn has been a member of several operating engineers and carpenters union
Sean Lane, who chairs the parade said: "We were truly delighted that Michael Benn has been chosen unanimously to lead us on March 17, 2025. Like all the hard-working Irish emigrants that came before him, he is a shining example of what hard work and determination can achieve in this great country. We know Michael’s selection as grand marshal is a popular one with the community in which he has served proudly since emigrating from Ireland to the United States. He is an outstanding leader in the Irish American community, particularly in the Rockaway area in Queens, and we will be proud to march behind him."