Tipperary activist selected as Grand Marshal of New York's St Patrick's Day Parade

The County Tipperary N&B Association of New York has selected Mr Martin Quinn to be Grand Marshal at the NYC St Patrick's Day Parade on Tuesday March 17 and Grand Marshal for the Yonkers Day Parade on Saturday March 21.

It's the first time ever in the 150 years of the Association that they selected an honoree who isn't living in New York or part of the system there.

In nominating Martin for Grand Marshal, President of the Association, Mr Norbert Hennessy reflected on the first year of his Presidency.

"As we embark on the second year of my Presidency of the Association, I must say it's been my pleasure to be President during the first year. I've taken my position very seriously and any time that I've represented the Association at an event, I've spent a long time researching to have all the facts right, before I stood in front of an audience representing Tipperary.

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"Our next big event is, of course, the NYC St Patrick’s Day Parade and at the January meeting I presented the name of an individual, Martin Quinn from Tipperary to be selected as our Grand Marshal."

Martin Quinn is a prominent Tipperary based community activist, from Bansha (Galtee Rovers GAA Club), a former officer of West County GAA Board, a past referee, author of 2 Books; "Tipperary People of Great Note" and "Tipperary Talks". A stroke survivor and advocate, he is a volunteer with over 40 years of service.

A former National President of Muintir Na Tire (2008-2011), he is current Chair of the North Munster Citizens Information Service and Chair of the National Chairs Network for the Citizens Information Service. Martin was honoured by the Tipperary Association in Dublin as "Tipperary Person of the Year for 2012".

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The President of the Tipperary Association in Dublin, Liam Myles, said that Mr Quinn's list of achievements is "most impressive and reflects a lifetime of voluntary service".

He added that "his wider influence in terms of promoting Tipperary through the Tipperary Peace Convention Award sets him above most, if not all others. His connection with America and promoting our beloved Tipperary Stateside, through the Tipperary International Peace Award is well recognised including the Award to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) in 2001 after 9/11; to President Bill Clinton in 2000, US Secretary of State John Kerry in 2015, Senator Ted Kennedy and Ambassador Jean Kennedy in 2009, Dr Richard Hass US Diplomat in 2013, Ban Ki-moon UN Secretary General in 2014, the Cluster Munitions Coalition in 2008 and MSF/Doctors Without Borders in 2023.

Other notable awardees include Mary Robinson UN Diplomat 2019, The late Tipperary historian and advisor Dr Martin Mansergh in 1995, Nelson Mandela 1989, Mikhail Gorbachev 1988, Barry McGuigan 1986, Bob Geldof 1985, Sean McBride 1984, John O’Shea 2003, Malala Yousafzai 2012.

"I don't take selecting a Grand Marshal lightly. This being the 250th Anniversary of America, I consider Martin Quinn would be the ideal Grand Marshal, connecting Tipperary and America through the Peace Award.

"He would be a very fitting recipient for Grand Marshal on this particular year, the 250th Anniversary of America. I consider that it's time to 'step outside the box' on the 250th Anniversary of America and select a Grand Marshal who "Bridges the Atlantic" through his work with the Tipperary International Peace Award", concluded Norbert.

Responding to the news Martin said that he considered the selection as a huge honour. "I am so thrilled to be selected as Grand Marshal. I have never been to New York so it will be a fabulous experience. It felt like a dream as the messages about my selection came through during the night and I thought I was dreaming when I read them.

"I have had very special experiences with the American recipients of the Tipperary International Peace Award. The raw emotion from the New York Firefighters following the 9/11 attack to the 13 members of the Kennedy Family who arrived by coach to Tipperary in 2010; the sit down questions and answers with US diplomat Dr Richard Hass in 2014 and then in 2016 with US Secretary of State, John Kerry, whose convoy travelled from Shannon Airport to Aherlow House Hotel, allowing the Secretary to view the beautiful Glen of Aherlow.

"These are all wonderful memories which have cemented Tipperary Town as a place of peace through the Tipperary International Peace Award. I will be forever grateful to the County Tipperary N&B Association of New York for this wonderful opportunity and I particularly thank Mr Norbert Hennessy for nominating me," concluded Martin.