Celebrating Thanksgiving Irish American-style

"There was also choreography with letters of the word 'America sings.' I was the C in America! Then the day of the parade, America Sings opened the parade with 800 children dancing in choreography in Herald Square. We then had to take the whole lot of them on the subway after the performance and meet at the Museum of Natural History where we then took our places behind Santa in the parade. We then danced through New York."

"It was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had in the U.S., dancing behind all the giant balloons. It really was breathtaking."

Caroline Duggan, Irish dance teacher in the Bronx.

"Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. When I first arrived here, I didn't understand why it was such a big deal. I really enjoy it now though, it's a chance to get together with family and friends and relax with great food."

"Given that it is a non-religious holiday with no gift exchanges involved it's a lot less stressful than other holidays."

Mark O'Connor, from Tralee, Co. Kerry, now living in Yonkers.

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"It is a time to meet up with family and friends. It is like having two Christmas days, except this one does not have all the gift giving."

James Foley, originally from Co. Kerry.

What is the best part of Thanksgiving?

"No presents and a few days off work."

Mary McAleer from Dublin, now living in Yonkers.

"My favorite part of the holiday is the long weekend off. It always seems to be the one weekend when all the girls can escape for an evening and have a great night and not worry about having to be up in the morning."

Fiona Brennan, who is originally from Derry, now living in Cortlandt Manor, upstate New York with her husband John.

"Calling home to say Happy Thanksgiving and hearing, 'Happy what? Shur we don't do that here at all girl.'"

Olwyn Triggs, private investigator from Cork who lives in New York.

"My favorite part of the Thanksgiving holiday is my father George and my sister Siobhan's mouth-watering spread. After dinner, we all pick names out of a hat for our secret Santa Christmas gift exchange and have a bit of a sing-song, with my father being the star of the show with his guitar."

"This Thanksgiving is going to be particularly exiting because my cousins are coming to visit us from England. They have never witnessed Thanksgiving, but they are interested in viewing what this question mark of an American holiday is all about. Our day begins with Mass, proceeds with the watching of the amazing balloons of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, continues with a glorious dinner, and concludes with laughter, singing, and a bit of dancing."

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Nster.com