Read more - Mary Higgins Clark will be 2011 St.Patrick’s Grand Marshal

Read more: President Mary McAleese declines St. Patrick's Day NYC Grand Marshal invite

A 250-year-old tradition will fall this St. Patrick’s Day in New York when Grand Marshal Mary Higgins Clark leads the parade up Fifth Avenue.

Even one of the 249 so far have walked the avenue but best selling author Higgins Clark will be in a horse and carriage.

The 83-year-old did not feel up to the three mile walk and turned down a golf cart which was first offered.

Instead she has chosen a horse and carriage, thereby creating a real moment of old world Irish as she goes up Fifth.

It is believed that some  of her family will accompany her in the  open carriage.

Mounted horses are allowed in the parade, as are cars for sponsors such as the Ford Motor company but no other motorized floats are allowed

Higgins Clark will be 83-years-old on St. Patrick’s Day 2011 and is the highest selling suspense writer in America. All 42 of her books are still in print.

Her books have sold more than 80 million copies in the United States.

She is a former medalist and is a current board member of the American Irish Historical Society.

She is the daughter of Irish immigrant Luke and Nora Clarke, of Irish descent, and she grew up in the Great Depression in The Bronx.

Read more - Mary Higgins Clark will be 2011 St.Patrick’s Grand Marshal

Read more: President Mary McAleese declines St. Patrick's Day NYC Grand Marshal invite