A Donegal man has become the first Irish-born Mayor of the London Borough of Islington.
Last Thursday night the Irish flag flew over Islington Town Hall as Councillor Troy Gallagher (46) took the oath of office at the council’s annual Mayor-making ceremony.
Cllr Gallagher is originally from the Muckish Avenue area of Letterkenny, and comes home as often as possible to visit his mother Mary (Girlie) and his brother and sisters. His father, Hughie, passed away in 2012.
However, he has lived in Islington for more than 20 years. In 2010, he was first elected as a Labour representative in London.
In his inaugural speech, Cllr Gallagher said: “If we are to seek a newer world, a newer tomorrow, let it be on the founding principles of respect, equality, and opportunity for all. And at the very heart of it, let it be one of community.”
He said ‘there can be no greater honour in this borough’ than to be elected Mayor, adding “I also have a very deep sense of pride to be the first mayor of Islington born in the Republic of Ireland.”
Cllr Troy Gallagher, Mayor of Islington 2021-2022 with chief executive Linzi Roberts-Egan and Sertan Hassan (R), mayor’s attendant. Credit: Islington Council
He said he enters the office with a sense of humility, compassion and empathy, but also with great confidence in the borough and the spirit and resilience of its people and community.
“If we are to build a new tomorrow, then we must talk of mental health, and tackle head-on the issue of suicide among young men,” he continued.
“That is why I have chosen the brilliant charities ICAP, forum+ and James Place as my official mayoral charities.
“These excellent charities are at the very centre of this crisis and use their own lived experience to help prevent suicide and make that change.”
Throughout his term he has chosen to support the charities ICAP, which supports people from the Irish community facing mental health struggles; Forum+, which works to promote equality for LGBTQ+ people in Islington and Camden; and James Place, which works to reduce male suicide.
He added: “This mayoralty will make it a priority to visit our neighbours lying alone in hospices and hospitals, and support the participation of the most excluded in our society including the homeless and those marginalised.”
The mayor represents the council at civic and ceremonial events like opening fetes and visiting schools, and attends on average 500 functions a year.
Cllr Gallagher on a visit to No. 10 Downing Street.
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