'Every year, you see a sea of green in Trafalgar Square': London's Irish light up St Patrick's Day parade

People during the St Patrick's Day parade in central London. Picture: Lucy North/PA

“It is great to be here in one of the most Irish cities in the world,” Tánaiste Simon Harris bellowed into the microphone.

No, he was not in Cork. He was in London. Famously, London is not in Ireland. It is in England.

If anyone was still harbouring a grudge against the English rugby team for throwing away Ireland’s Six Nations Championship victory on Saturday via their last-minute loss to France, the animosity was nowhere to be seen on Sunday afternoon as the streets of London turned green for its annual St Patrick’s Day parade.

The St Patrick's Day parade in central London. Picture: Lucy North/PA

At Trafalgar Square, a host of Irish acts were warming up to perform as the Tánaiste greeted the crowds.

“We helped build this great city,” he continued. “We have contributed to this great city. I'm so proud of the links between London and Ireland, between Ireland and Britain.”

Tanaiste Simon Harris (centre right) during the St Patrick's Day parade in central London. Picture: Lucy North/PA Wire

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Harris said he decided he would travel to both London and Paris as part of his St Patrick’s Day programme. Following Brexit, France is now our closest neighbour in the EU.

After several tetchy years, Irish-UK relations have started to improve under British prime minister Kier Starmer.

“While there is so much turmoil in the world, I think it's more important than ever that we double down on the relationship with our neighbours,” Mr Harris added.

The relationship and shared history between Ireland and Britain runs deep, and is continued through the thousands of Irish people making their homes here.

'A great day for promoting our culture'

Clonakilty man Larry O’Leary is the chairman of the community advisory body for the City Hall St Patrick's Day parade. He has lived in London since he was seven. While he did not reveal how long ago that was, he never lost his Cork lilt.

At Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill shortly before the parade, he explained how the Office of the Mayor of London, currently held by Sadiq Khan, contributes over £200,000 to the parade. The strong Irish community in London raises additional funds.

“It's an event we certainly don't want to lose, because it's a great day for promoting our culture here in this city,” Mr O’Leary said.

“This country has been very, very good to us. It's great that we can recognise all the achievements here in London.

“There are some fantastic companies here that are all Irish. To have them involved, to show we're all together, le chéile, here today is something great.”

People take part in the St Patrick's Day parade in central London. Picture: Lucy North/PA Wire

Tara Cronin, the consultant for Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill, left Killarney 30 years ago for the bright lights of London.

She explained that the event allows both first- and second-generation Irish living in the city to come together to “celebrate being Irish in London”.

“It's a great opportunity for us all to come together, not that we really need an excuse,” she said. “You'll see the big sea of green in Trafalgar Square.”

Many of the families who had lined out to watch the parade were comprised of Irish parents who had children born in England. They spoke of the importance of maintaining their connections with home.

'We bring them every year'

Carmel English, from Achill Island, had come to the parade with her children, Charlotte and Michael, to watch her niece dance in the parade.

Despite living in London for 35 years, the family was decked out in Mayo GAA jerseys, with Michael insisting it would be “Mayo for Sam 2026”.

Carmel explained: “It's amazing. We all get together, and it's such a community feel. We get to see and meet people that we haven't seen for a whole year.

“It's actually very special. I brought all my children up as Irish people, so we bring them every year.”

Performers during the St Patrick's Day parade in central London. Picture: Lucy North/PA Wire

Back in the parade, Orla Higgins from Cork was proudly carrying her county flag as part of a procession that saw all 32 county flags flying high.

She has lived in London for five years, and said that St Patrick’s Day is “really important to everyone”.

“Bringing it home with you to London is always really important," she said. "Representing where you're from means a lot to everyone.”

Back on the stage at Trafalgar Square, Martin Fraser, Ireland’s ambassador to the UK, joked that there were “two Dubs, a Corkman, and a man from Wicklow” present.

The man from Wicklow said that St Patrick’s Day was an important day to “celebrate everything that's good about the relationship” between Ireland and the UK.

“To everyone who's Irish, to everyone who is a friend of Ireland, to everyone who wishes they were Irish. Happy St Patrick's Day to all,” Mr Harris said.

While the jury is still out on whether London is “one of the most Irish cities in the world”, the connection to home that the Irish in London are maintaining was clear to see.