Maggie Timoney was officially introduced as the Grand Marshal of the 2024 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade at an event in the newly reopened American Irish Historical Society on Wednesday night.
Maggie Timoney, the first female President and CEO of Heineken USA will make history by becoming just the fifth woman in 262 years to lead the New York Parade.
Speaking at the AIHS building on Fifth Avenue, Timoney said she had a "tear in her eye" while thinking about her late parents and what it would mean to them. She also said she hoped it would be the "start of the trend" for more female grand marshals.
"I had a tear in my eye tonight thinking about my parents, Una and Seamus, who are gone. They never would have thought I would one day lead the St Patrick’s Day Parade in New York," Timoney said on Wednesday night.
"I joked that with Maureen O’Hara, and I am in really, really good company - I know there have only been five females in total in the last 262 years and I hope that this is the start of the trend."
Sean Lane, chairman of the Parade Board, said Timoney was a "shining example" of what hard work and dedication can achieve.
"We were truly delighted that Maggie Timoney has been chosen unanimously to lead us on March 16. Like all the hard-working Irish emigrants that came before her, she is a shining example of what hard work and determination can achieve in this great country. We know that Maggie’s selection as Grand Marshal is a popular one," Lane said on Wednesday.
Hilary Beirne, Chief Administrative Officer of the Parade, said the Irish-American community will be "proud" to walk behind Timoney at the parade next year.
The New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade kicks off on Fifth Avenue at 11 a.m. on March 16, 2024.
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