PROUD Limerick man Michael Benn is set to lead out the world’s largest St Patrick’s Day parade next year – none other than the the New York City St Patrick’s Day Parade.
At 75, the Rockaway Beach resident was named as grand marshall of the 2025 NYC St Patrick’s Day Parade, one of the most prestigious honors of the Irish-American community. He will lead over 100,000 people down Fifth Avenue in NYC on March 17 next year.
Born in Limerick City in 1948, Michael immigrated to the United States with his family in 1962.
He began his education at a Christian Brothers School in Limerick City before going on to study accounting at Mercy College in New York.
And despite moving all the way to the Big Apple in his youth, he still managed to marry a Limerick woman, Christina, who he first met far from home in the Bronx.
The pair have been married for 53 years, and raised six children, Michael, Richard, William, Brendan, Patrick, and Tara.
Their 11 grandchildren – Michael, Oliver, Shayla, Brendan, Ryan, Heidi, Madison, Richard, Mackenzie Cassidy, and Teagan – will be cheering their grandfather on next St Patrick’s Day.
And leading out the NYC St Patrick’s Day Parade next year is not Michael’s only service to the Irish-American community.
His deep ties to his homeland are evident through his leadership as the president and chairman of the Queens County St Patrick’s Day Parade in Rockaway Beach – the second-largest St Patrick’s Day parade in New York.
For the past 24 years, the Limerick man has worked tirelessly to honor Irish leaders and promote Irish culture in his newfound home.
He also produces and directs a television show celebrating Irish heritage in the US, An Suil Na Gael (‘In the Eyes of the Irish‘).
Sean Lane, chairman of the NYC St Patrick’s Day Parade, said that organiers “are delighted to honor Mike for his many years of community service, including over 25 years running the Queens County parade, 20 years as producer/director of An Suil Na Gael promoting Irish culture, his service as a sergeant in the US Army, and his many years working to promote unions and the rights of workers”.
His dedication to both his Irish heritage and his adopted country has made him a respected figure in both communities, earning him widespread recognition and admiration.
This includes an honor from the New York City Council on three separate occasions, as well as the Tom Manton Irish Man of the Year award.
