Katie-George Dunlevy joins Troy Gallagher at London's St Patrick's Day parade

Letterkenny native Troy Gallagher commended the impact of Irish emigrants on St Patrick’s Day in his adopted city of London, where Katy George Dunlevy was grand marshall of the parade.

Mr Gallagher was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2023 and is now a Labour councillor, who was educated at Scoil Colmcille, St Eunan’s College and Letterkenny Vocational School.

Irish Paralympic gold medallist Dunlevy, who has strong Donegal links through her proud Mountcharles-born father, John, shared the honour with another Irish Olympic gold medallist, boxer Kellie Harrington.

“I am proud of that contribution and my work, all our work in helping, bridging, advocating and shaping the Irish contribution and global footprint across many sectors,” Mr Gallagher posted.

“I'm also very proud of strengthening the links each day between Donegal, Islington and London. Delighted to walk in the parade with Minister Norma Foley, the Irish Ambassador and have a good chat and craic with Ireland’s Olympic champions Kellie Harrington and Donegal’s Katie George Dunleavy.

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“Inspirational women and lovely, down-to-earth people who engaged with the Irish crowds. Great to meet RTE Londons Correspondent Tommy Meskill and outline some of my work to date and the fantastic work being done by Islington and the voluntary boards I am part of - ICAP, BITA, Safehome Ireland, Causeway and the Irish Cultural Centre.”

Mr Gallagher relocated to England in 1999 and has lived in Islington, which has a population of almost 240,000. Mr Gallagher was first elected to the council in 2010 and serves as a Labour Councillor for the Bunhill District. In 2021, he became the first person from the Republic of Ireland to become mayor of the London borough.

Dunlevy and Harrington have been two of the most successful Irish athletes at last year’s Olympics and Paralympics. Dunlevy has won gold at the last three Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Paris while Harrington has won gold at both Tokyo and Paris.