We are talking about Irish heritage this St. Patrick’s Day weekend on In Focus.

Thomas Heneghan, owner of Tara Gift Shoppe in Buffalo, joined JoDee Kenney to share his family’s story and the contributions to the Western New York Irish American community. Heneghan’s mother, Mary, not only opened Tara Gift Shoppe, stocked with traditional Irish clothing, jewelry, food, housewares, and décor, but played an integral role in the growth of the Buffalo Irish Center. This strong Irish American influence in Buffalo, Heneghan said, also makes the city a destination for national events like April’s Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Convention, with traditional music and dance performances and workshops, and Irish Echo Heroes of Irish America Awards.

You can watch the full interview with Thomas Heneghan via the video player above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.