Tales of home and the American dream at the NY Irish Center at Christmas

Colm Flynn caught up with some senior Irish immigrants celebrating Christmas in Queens

Irish immigrants gathered together recently at the New York Irish Center in Queens for their annual Christmas luncheon.

Read More: President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins shares his annual Christmas address

Reporting for RTÉ Today, Colm Flynn chatted with immigrants who came from all corners of Ireland in search of a new life in the US.

“All the Irish here came to New York for a better life, not really knowing what lay ahead,” said Flynn.

At the luncheon, he spoke with Irish people who came from Dublin, Leitrim, Kerry, Mayo, and Westmeath. They worked in all different kinds of jobs upon arriving stateside.

One woman, who was only 17 years old when she left Ireland, told Flynn, “I was coming for 2 years, and 57 years later, here I am.”

Opened in 2005, the New York Irish Center works to be a hub for Irish immigrants in the New York City area. Paul Finnegan, head of the center, said the Queens has the highest Irish population of any of New York City's five boroughs.

Read More: How Christmas was in my father’s time

You can support the New York Irish Center and their work by donating online.

Watch Colm Flynn reporting for RTÉ Today from the New York Irish Center here:

Are you an Irish immigrant celebrating Christmas in NYC? Share your experience in the comments!