Donegal looks to link with the Irish community in London

Islington Council’s Irish culture and heritage celebrations got underway at the Irish Embassy in London earlier this week and were attended by the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District Mayor, Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh and Cllr Ciaran Brogan.

Islington has one of the biggest populations of people who identify as Irish in the UK.

Islington Irish Month is a programme of cultural, heritage and community events for all residents of Islington and visitors hosted by the council’s first Irish-born Mayor, Cllr Troy Gallagher from Letterkenny.

Mayor Kavanagh said he was delighted as Mayor of Letterkenny to be present at the Irish Embassy in London when the contribution of the Irish community to the Borough of Islington was celebrated by Ambassador Adrian O'Neill and his wife Aisling.

Left to right: Cllr Ciaran Brogan, Mayor Troy Gallagher, Mayor Jimmy Kavanagh and Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK, Mr Adrian O’Neill

"Letterkenny's Troy Gallagher, the current Mayor of Islington and the first Irishman to ever hold that position, also addressed the event.

"He outlined the contribution made to the area by generations of Irishmen and women, and it was great to mingle with the many Letterkenny and Donegal people who are continuing to contribute their skills across a range of professions from IT to architecture, to nursing and property development in the Islington area."

The event was also attended by Cllr Ciaran Brogan and Eamonn Brown from Donegal County Council.

Cllr Kavanagh added: "I want to wish Troy Gallagher continued success in his Mayoral role, and I hope we can welcome him to Letterkenny in an official capacity before his term of office ends in May."

Mayor Gallagher

Mayor Gallagher highlighted the important contribution Irish people and Irish culture has made to Britain and the importance of acknowledging and celebrating this.

Islington Council is working with the London Irish Centre to organise the month of events to strengthen and further develop existing relationships between the whole community.

“I was honoured to attend the reception at the Embassy of Ireland this week to launch Islington Irish Month, a celebration of the diversity and richness of Irish heritage and culture.

"It was fantastic to chat with many people who have made huge contributions to Irish life in London and to strengthen ties with Donegal County Council.

"I will always be immensely proud of being Irish, and being from Donegal, and being able to share my love of the culture and traditions with my community in Islington is very special.

"Islington has long been a bastion for equality, diversity and fairness and I am delighted that our community understands the value in sharing our experiences and cultural identities with each other in order to continue that excellent history.”

Mayor Troy Gallagher welcomes Mayor Jimmy Kavanagh to the

Islington Council Offices

Showcase event

To celebrate the historic year in Islington’s history with their first Irish-born Mayor, Cllr Gallagher, Islington Council has partnered with the London Irish Centre to showcase the best of Irish culture and heritage throughout the month of March.

The celebrations, supported by Donegal County Council, also aim to enhance the growth of Donegal by highlighting the employment and remote working opportunities that exist between London and Ireland.

Scheduled events include a Business Breakfast at the DoubleTree Hilton, Friday, March 18. This will be a special networking opportunity for businesses and organisations in Islington to connect with Irish businesses, organised by Donegal County Council.

A special live broadcast from Islington will be aired on Highland Radio on Saturday, March 19, featuring presenters Greg Hughes and Kevin Furey.

The full programme of events can be found on the London Irish Centre website.