The Cavan diaspora will be at the heart of the St Patrick's Day festivities in New York this week Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feely has arrived in the Big Apple ahead of ahead of today's parade.
He alongside a strong Co Cavan contingent will represent the county; meet people with links to the Cavan; and attend a special event to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
Later, today, they will attend a special Mass in St Patrick's Cathedral and meet Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, whose ancestors hailed from Cavan. One of the highlights for the local contingent will be a gala dinner over the weekend to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Cavan Association in New York.
Speaking to the Wider View from the US, Cllr Feely said it was the oldest county organisation in the Big Apple and was instrumental in supporting generations of Cavan people who were forced to leave these shores in search of a better life on the other side of the Atlantic.
First though, he began by outlining the array of events that the Cavan contingent will be attending over the next few days.