NY to Ireland could be either Es or F2, but a signal propagated via the F2 layer would tend to fade in and out less than Es.
If the data I found is what you heard of, it was Es:
On June 26, 2003, Paul Logan (Lisnaskea, Northern Ireland) was the first DXer to receive transatlantic Sporadic E at frequencies above 88 MHz. Stations received included 88.5 MHz WHCF Bangor, Maine (2,732 miles / 4,397 kilometres), and 97.5 MHz WFRY Watertown, New York (3,040 miles / 4,890 kilometres). David Hamilton from Cumnock in Ayrshire, Scotland received CBTB from Baie Verte, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada on 97.1 MHz on this day also.[10]»
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV ··· nd_FM_DXMight happen this year, if the current solar cycle ever gets going. So far, that's been a flop.