IT’S THE EVE of St Patrick’s Day, a day meant to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint that usually manifests as glass bowls of shamrock passed to US presidents, crowds in green marching streets around the world, and endless amounts of Guinness being downed.

The unprecedented reach of the Irish diaspora has made it one of the largest holidays in the world. 

In New York, a city which grew in the 19th and 20th century with the help of Irish immigrants, Irish links remain strong.

Tomorrow, the city will hold its 265th annual St Patrick’s Day parade, which is expected to draw up to 2m spectators, and see 150,000 participants march through the closed streets. Among those participants will be New York’s mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Mamdani confirmed he would be taking part and said it was “one of the easiest decisions I’ve had to make as the mayor”.

He said he would be hosting the St Patrick’s Day breakfast at the mayoral home Gracie Mansion, attending mass, and marching in the parade.

“It is a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to, and it is one that I share in that excitement, because I know it represents not just a celebration of the incredible contributions of Irish Americans to this city, but also one that celebrates so many of the different ethos that are core to the Irish spirit, including that of solidarity,” he said.

Zohran Mamdani on whether he supports a united Ireland:

"I gotta be honest, I haven't thought enough on that question." pic.twitter.com/t9bxXybe61

— Timmy Facciola (@TimmyFacciola_) March 16, 2026

A different question on Ireland left the mayor less eloquent. Asked whether he supported a United Ireland, Mamdani and his team laughed.

“I gotta be honest, I haven’t thought enough on that question,” he said, and spoke about Ireland and Irish Americans’ contributions to the city.

Related Reads

Tánaiste says Conor McGregor 'the very worst of us' amid reports MMA fighter is in Washington

No Covid…no Burkes? Taoiseach will be hoping for low-key Ireland Funds dinner for once

Last week, Mamdani met with Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly, whom he shared a platform with at the annual James Connolly Irish American Labour Coalition St Patrick’s Day lunch.

O’Reilly posted an image of the two shaking hands and said it was “great to hear Mayor Mamdani quote James Connolly” – “and to affirm the close links between organised labour and Irish unity”.

Tomorrow will be a big day for Ireland as we await the much-anticipated shamrock ceremony and Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s sit-down with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.