TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY will avoid the controversy which surrounded his marching in the New York St Patrick’s Day parade last year.

Kenny marched in the parade last year, despite New York Mayor Bill de Blasio refusing to march over a ban on LGBT groups marching under their own banners.

The Big Apple parade is the largest in the world and has attracted thousands of spectators since it began in 1762, but was mired in controversy last year.

In September organisers lifted the ban on gay groups marching with their own banners, saying that the LGBT group at television station NBC, OUT@NBCUniversal, would be allowed to march down Fifth Avenue

The parade has a standing invitation to all sitting Taoisigh, but Kenny will not be taking part this year – because he’s not going to New York.

The Government Press Office has confirmed that although the itinerary has not been finalised, a trip to Manhattan is not on the slate.

“The programme for the Taoiseach’s visit to the United States is still being finalised,” a spokesperson said.

“I can confirm that it will include attendance at official events in Washington DC. This year’s itinerary does not involve a visit to New York.”

Read: Kenny plans to participate in St Patrick’s Day parade that NY mayor will boycott

Read: Taoiseach: New York St Patrick’s Day parade ‘about our Irishness and not about our sexuality’