The County Down Association of New York

04/18/2026

A great day out promised. Try get up to Rory’s for a bita craic.

03/20/2026

Shanagh Gawley delighted everyone at our post-parade gathering with a wonderful performance of “The Star of the County Down.” Shanagh has become a much-loved regular at this event over the past few years, and we hope she continues to grace us with her talent for many more to come—long before she becomes too famous to remember us!

A special well done to Mum and Dad on raising such a talented young girl.

03/19/2026

St. Patrick’s Day was an especially memorable occasion for the O’Hare family, as cousins from both sides of the Atlantic came together to celebrate. Michael O’Hare and his wife Bronagh traveled over for the event and were joined by Michael’s cousins, John O’Hare and Peggy Williams. It was wonderful to see the children and grandchildren of these families continuing to strengthen and carry forward the spirit of the Down Association.

Special thanks to Joanne Gawley for capturing these great moments.

03/18/2026

What a fantastic time we had marching up Fifth Avenue on St. Patrick’s Day, celebrating a saint who is proudly laid to rest in our own county. A sincere thank you to everyone who came out to support, and especially to Sophie, accompanied by her aides Brian and Brian, who led the way with great pride in front of our impressive County Down banner.
We would also like to extend our appreciation to the O’Hare family in New York for their efforts in preparing the hall and providing a welcoming place for some well-earned rest after the parade.

We look forward to seeing even more of our county men, women, and children join us next year.

Until then — An Dún Abú.

03/11/2026

Let us introduce our Grand Marshall for 2026 St Patrick’s day parade. We look forward to having this amazing and talented lady lead us up 5th Avenue. The one and only Sophie Colgan. It’s was a tough 2025 but the smile is always shining with this proud Down woman.

Sophie Colgan is from the townland of Lisnacree in County Down and moved to New York in 2014 after graduating from Ulster University. A proud Down woman, Sophie grew up playing camogie with her club An Ríocht and attended St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel. Sophie is the daughter of Pearse and Mary Colgan, who both sadly passed away in 2025 and she is very close to her six siblings who are all at home in County Down: Ella, Ruth, Sarah, James, Kirsty and Justin.
After moving to New York, Sophie quickly immersed herself in the Irish-American community. She was selected as the New York Rose of Tralee in 2015 and soon became involved in the GAA scene, playing Gaelic football with Manhattan Gaels and camogie with Liberty Gaels.
Sophie became a familiar face in New York’s Irish community through her work in marketing and fundraising with organizations including the American Irish Historical Society, where she spearheaded a 40,000-signature campaign to save their landmark Fifth Avenue building - an effort that ultimately drew the intervention of the New York Attorney General.
In recognition of her contributions to the Irish community, Sophie has received several honors including the Distinguished Irish American Award from the Flax Trust (2022), the Irish Echo Guardian of Irish Heritage Award presented by New York Attorney General Letitia James (2023), and the New York GAA Community Spirit Award (2023).
Sophie is married to Brian Glynn from Ardrahan, County Galway, and works as a professional charity auctioneer, raising funds for nonprofit organizations and charities across New York and throughout the United States.

03/08/2026

Just a little reminder of our walk up 5th Avenue 2025. Let’s get a big turnout for 2026 also. Anyone need information to join us on the day please send us a privets msg. We look forward to seeing everyone on paddy’s day

06/22/2025

Great read

All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final: Down v Galway (Sunday, Pairc Esler, 1.45pm - live on GAA+)

05/06/2025

Iʼm raising money to Help A Grieving Family. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

04/19/2025

Join the Irish Stew podcast for the first ever LIVE podcast from Ryan's Daughter Upper East Side pub.

John and Martin will be joined by NYC theatre makers Labhaoise Magee, John Duddy, and Ciarán Byrne as well as Big Telly's Crissy O' Donovan for an in-depth conversation on the role of theatre in promoting Northern Ireland's image around the globe.

Join the Irish Stew podcast for the first ever LIVE podcast from Ryan's Daughter Upper East Side pub.

03/19/2025

The County Down association heading up 5th avenue past St Patrick’s Cathedral led by professional boxer Donagh Keary his dad Sean Keary and close friend Shea Morgan

03/16/2025

Supporters on way in the MSG to watch the champ ‘kid’ Keary

03/16/2025

CONGRATULATIONS, Donagh Keary!! Rest up. We look forward to you leading us up the avenue tomorrow!