Limerick honours one of its own with Mayoral reception for leading NYC St Patrick's Day Parade
The ceremony celebrates Mr Benn's incredible story from proud Limerick roots to his leadership in one of the world's most iconic Irish-American events.
The reception is the third of its kind this year, following two sports-related Mayoral Receptions earlier in 2025.
Born in Limerick city in 1948 and a former student of CBS Sexton Street, the same school attended by Mayor Moran, Michael Benn emigrated to the United States at age 14.
He continued his education in New York and received an accounting degree from Mercy College, paving the way for a diverse career in civic leadership and business management.
He also served in the US Army from 1969 to 1972, achieving the rank of sergeant.
He served as president and chairman of the Queens County St Patrick's Day Parade in Rockaway Beach, and in March 2025, he led the 264th New York City St Patrick's Day Parade as Grand Marshal.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Moran said: 'It's an absolute privilege to have welcomed Michael Benn and his family here to City Hall in the city of his youth, and to be able to recognise everything Michael has done to keep our Irish heritage alive and thriving in his new home of New York. His journey has been nothing short of incredible. Limerick is lucky to call him one of our own!'
Mr Benn added: 'This city, and Ireland as a whole, will always be home, no matter where life takes me and my family. The journey has been incredible, but the heart of it all has always been community. I'm beyond grateful for this recognition and excited for all that's ahead!'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Abandoned £118million fairytale theme park that would have been a Disneyland rival – but closed after four years
AN abandoned fairytale theme park that cost just under £118million was forced to close after just four years. Mirapolis opened in 1987 in Courdimanche, France - less than an hour via train from Paris - featuring French legends and stories throughout the attraction. 5 Mirapolis originally opened in 1987 5 The theme park was based on French legends 5 One ride was inside a statue of Gargantua Credit: Getty Architect Anne Fourcade was inspired to create the park after visiting the Disneyland theme park in California in 1980. Rides included 'The Dark Ride', which was inspired by 'City of Ys' legend. The ride was modern for the time, with a terrifying sea monster, sunken head and an underwater scene that even had animatronics. It was thought it could have been a rival to Disneyland Paris , which opened in 1992 and was around an hour away, with both based on fairytales and childhood stories. Read more on theme parks Not only that, but it hoped to welcome as many as 600,000 tourists a year, according to Yet according to the After just four years the park was closed, waiting to be rebuilt. It was reportedly one of the biggest financial fails of the history of France. Most read in News Travel The expectations for the park were said to have been too optimistic and were based off of incorrect market research. This included looking at American tourists compared to French tourists, when it came to elements like eating habits and ticket prices. I took my family to the perfect first UK theme park for little kids Not only that, but the stories and characters the park was based on were mainly only known to French locals, unlike the international fame of Disney 's characters. After the closure of the When a buyer didn't emerge, a crew of journalists and operators created a film on the closed-down park with the attractions being opened for one last time. From 1993 onwards, the buildings were gradually demolished, with some of the For example, the ride 'Dragon des Sortilèges' went to Spreepark and Les pirates went to Meli Park. In 1995, arguably the most iconic part of the park - the Gargantua statue - finally lost it's head. The statue was the second tallest hollow state in the world behind the Stature of Liberty, and was of the giant from the story 'The Life of Gargantua' and of 'Pantagruel' from the 16th century. The Dark Ride was located inside the statue and took guests on a journey through the giant's body with 120 animatronics. In 2017, the park would have celebrated its 30th anniversary and to mark the occasion, an history of the park. And in 2018, plans were revealed to built an "eco-friendly tourist resort" on the same site although this was also abandoned in 2019. There was also a Plus, the £346milion theme park that wanted to be the 'English Disneyland' in the 1980s… but was never built. 5 The park was only open for four years 5 Over the years, the park was eventually dismantled
The Irish Sun
40 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Dunnes Stores fans set to love ‘funky' new €30 dress with ‘hidden' feature that's ideal for summer days out
DUNNES Stores fans are set to love a "funky" new dress with a "hidden" feature that is ideal for summer days out. The Helen Steele Black Define Dress is available in stores and online now. Advertisement 2 Dunnes Stores fans will love the new arrival 2 It is a bargain at just €30 The black and pink look is ideal for a game of tennis or a walk in the park. It is priced at just €30 and comes in sizes XS to XL. The retailer said: "Super soft and buttery fabric. "Easy shape sleeveless dress with hidden pink shorts and a skort detail, crew neckline with bright pink panel. Advertisement READ MORE IN FASHION "Helen Steele branding across the chest. "A funky addition to your activewear or everyday wardrobe. "Brought to you by Irish Designer Helen Steele, exclusively for Dunnes Stores." The dress can be paired with white trainers for a cool, casual look. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive Exclusive Meanwhile, a fashion fan has told how she tried on Carrie Barrett, who posts under In the video, she flaunted the Frieda embroidered suit trousers for €30. Crafted from a lightweight crinkle-textured fabric, these wide leg trousers feature an elasticated waistband - ideal for belly-conscious shoppers. Advertisement Pair them with delicate foliage embroidery, with a white scoop neck top and kitten heels for a chic seasonal look. Or better yet, style the trousers with the matching Frieda shirt to create a unique wedding guest outfit. The matching top features a classic collar and a full button-through front. And this item is also for sale for €30. Advertisement Sizes range from XS-XL in this stunning new co-ord. This is the set of the Both items are sold separately online and in stores across the country. THE HISTORY OF DUNNES STORES DUNNES Stores opened its first store on Patrick Street in Cork in 1944 - and it was an instant hit. Shoppers from all over the city rushed to the store to snap up quality clothing at pre-war prices in Ireland's first 'shopping frenzy'. During the excitement, a window was forced in and the police had to be called to help control the crowds hoping to bag founder Ben Dunne's 'Better Value' bargains. Dunnes later opened more stores in the 1950s and began to sell groceries in 1960 - starting with apples and oranges. The retailer said: "Fruit was expensive at the time and Ben Dunne yet again offered Better Value than anyone else in town. "Over time, our food selection has grown and that spirit of good value has remained strong. "Now we offer a wide range of carefully-sourced foods from both local Irish suppliers and overseas." The retailer's first Dublin store opened its doors in 1957 on Henry Street and a super store on South Great Georges Street was unveiled in 1960. They added: "In 1971, our first Northern Irish store opened, and many others soon followed. "Expansion continued in the 1980s in Spain, and later into Scotland and England." Dunnes now has 142 stores and employs 15,000 people.
Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
What could Miriam O'Callaghan's memoir mean for future Áras bid?
Could Miriam O'Callaghan's soon-to-be-released memoir be a subliminal signal that she might be tipping her hat into the presidential ring? The popular RTE presenter revealed this week that she has penned a memoir which is poised to hit bookshelves in the early autumn, just ahead of the presidential election. And while current affairs host Miriam has previously ruled herself out of the running, her name is frequently mooted with pundits saying she would be a shoo-in to win the race. Miriam O'Callaghan at the IFTA Awards 2025 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Pic: Brian McEvoy The release of her memoir could be a slight indicator that she may be softening on her resolve not to enter the race. Miriam has announced that she will be releasing a memoir in October, admitting that she is 'really nervous' about telling her story. Sharing the news on social media, she wrote: 'At first I planned it to be just about my work as a journalist, but I soon realised it was impossible to separate the personal and professional parts of my life, that's why it's about life, work and everything. Miriam O'Callaghan. Pic: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos 'In truth I am really nervous about telling my story, that's probably why it took me so long to write it. All I hope is that people will read it and find it interesting, authentic, entertaining and hopeful.' In fact writing a memoir has, at least in the American and European political sphere, become somewhat de rigueur for election candidates running for office with memoir writing providing an effective campaign tool for presidential hopefuls. Memoir writing has proved an effective campaign tool for presidential hopefuls. In fact the huge success of Barack Obama's Dreams from My Father was considered pivotal in his successful run for the Oval Office. And while Miriam O'Callaghan is already a household name in Ireland, autobiographies offer a deeper insight into personalities and offer readers the chance to know people by their own words and recollections. When contacted this week about a potential change of heart, Miriam was unusually coy. But she has in the past ruled out throwing her hat in the ring for the Presidency.
