Navigating New York with Big Shane

On this week’s Episode I chat to the Legend Shane Kenny, aka Big Shane.

Shane is is originally from County Meath and moved to the US in 2016 where he started off on a Graduate Visa after College teaching rugby to kids in L.A. After that he made the move to New York City and immediately felt like he had found a home away from home.

Shane started out bartending in Queens and Manhattan on arrival in 2017. A big man at 6’7, Shane is known around New York as Big Shane, because of his gentle giant nature and larger than life personality.

In 2020 Shane and his partner and professionally trained pastry chef Sarah Pleitez made what was originally a bit of a running joke between them in to a Business, and created and launched Big Shane’s Icecream - Icecream inspirited by Irish tastebuds.

For as long as Shane can remember he has loved ice cream. Growing up, he spent many an Irish summer day in Ballivor with a 99 Cone in hand (also known as a soft serve in America).

Fast forward one year and Big Shane’s Icecream is taking off in a big way. It can be bought by the pint or single serve in various locations around Manhattan and Queens check out all the locations on bigshanesicecream.com

In August 2020 Shane got a big blow when he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Testicular Cancer. Shane underwent surgery and chemo all during Covid and at the young age of 27, being far away from home and without health insurance – it was a horrendous time for him. However, a testament to how well-loved he is, in less than 24 hours his friends and the Irish American Community in Sunnyside Queens raised over $30,000 for him through Go Fund Me.

Shane is now in remission and his ice-cream business is getting bigger by the day, they have now outgrown their own space and have moved production to a manufacturer on a farm Upstate.  Soon you will be able to get Big Shane’s Icecream Nationwide! You can also book Big Shane’s icecream for events and pop ups.

This man is destined for great things, and I hope you get as much from our chat as I did!

Find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigshanesicecream

Instagram: @bigshanesicecream

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Navigating New York is proudly sponsored by Irish owned Therapie Clinic. Europes number 1 med spa, Thérapie have recently landed in New York City and offer medical-grade laser hair removal for all skin types, advanced skin treatments, botox and much more. Thérapies mantra is simple - world class treatments, at great prices - you won't find better value anywhere else.

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