Sixty pupils are New York bound to represent Co Down in the city’s iconic St. Patrick’s Day parade.
The girls, from Assumption Grammar School Ballynahinch, and their teachers made links with St. Vincent Ferrer’s High School and through Father Delargy of The Priests began forging a connection through music and culture.
This sisterhood has now allowed for their trip which will see music students and Irish dancers perform in a St. Patrick’s Day concert in the New York school.
Irish American, Mary Reed, one of the organisers of the parade, also helped to ensure the girls talent would be seen front and centre at their East 44 Street slot.
Marcelle Orsi, Vice Principal of Assumption Grammar told Belfast Live that the upcoming trip is “once in a lifetime.”
She said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our students, many of whom have not travelled outside of Europe. To work alongside St. Vincent Ferrer High School and to be the lead act in their concert is a privilege.
"However, to actually be in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and represent our county is something our students will remember for the rest of their lives.
“Taking sixty pupils out to New York is a huge undertaking but our music department and our dancers have been working extremely hard to ensure they are ready to make our county proud. Our recent concert in the Waterfront Hall was an example of the quality of our students.
“The Priests performed alongside our pupils and it was an incredible evening which showcased the talent of Assumption students, as well as raising much needed funds for the trip.
"Our students are ready to share this talent further through Irish songs and traditional music and allowing the New York audiences to see some of the finest dancers in the country. We are all very excited as we know the unique nature of this experience.
“As a result of the trip, we hope our girls will develop friendships and contacts with students in the host school which will continue for years to come. We also envisage a visit from St. Vincent Ferrer High School, with pupils from their school coming to Ireland in the near future.”
Tickets for the concert are available from St. Vincent Ferrer High School’s website. Otherwise, look out for the girls under the Co. Down banner on St. Patrick’s Day .
