Keenan, now an author and broadcaster, will be one of the keynote speakers according to Sinn Féin which is organizing the event but is dubbing it an open forum where all points of view are welcome.

Other speakers on a list that is expected to be extended between now and the conference are Professor Brendan O'Leary of the University of Pennsylvania and the president of the Laborers International Union of North America, Terence O'Sullivan.

"Irish America played a significant role in securing the peace process. The next important task is unity," said Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams in a statement on the conference.

"As part of the work of the party's task force on Irish reunification we are hosting a number of significant forums in Ireland, the U.S. and Britain over the course of the coming year.

"Our task is to mobilize support at home and internationally for the democratic demand for Irish reunification to be met. I am delighted that the first event in New York has attracted such significant support both from prominent individuals and organizations," said Adams who will be hosting the New York gathering which carries the formal title "United Ireland - How do we get there?"

The conference will take place in the Hilton Hotel, 1335 Avenue of the Americas at 53rd Street beginning at noon.

Also participating in the conference will be the presidents of a number of Irish American organizations including the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Irish Northern Aid, the Irish American Unity Conference, the Brehon Law Society and the United Irish Counties Association.