Taoiseach announces Ireland’s first ever participation in London’s Lord Mayor’s Show
Tourism Ireland and 21 mayors from the island of Ireland participate in historic London pageant Taoiseach Enda Kenny today announced Ireland’s first ever participation in The Lord Mayor’s Show in London.
The historic pageant, which takes place on Saturday 14 November, celebrates its 800th anniversary this year. Half a million people will line the streets of central London to cheer on the parade and it will be watched on national television by millions more.
For the first time ever, Ireland will be represented in the parade. Tourism Ireland has invited Lord Mayors and Mayors from across the island of Ireland to participate, further cementing the relationship between Ireland and the UK and showcasing the island of Ireland in our largest tourism market. Also for the first time ever, the ceremonial coach of Dublin’s Lord Mayor will leave Dublin and will be showcased in the ancient London pageant. The splendid, highly decorated carriage was built in 1791 and is a feature of the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin and other civic celebrations.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “The Lord Mayor’s Show is an extremely high profile event, celebrating its 800th anniversary in 2015. Tourism Ireland is delighted that the island of Ireland will be represented for the first time. Great Britain is the largest market for tourism to the island of Ireland and The Lord Mayor’s Show will be an excellent platform to promote the destination. It is another opportunity to profile the island of Ireland and to celebrate the relationship between our two islands. We have been delighted to work with Co-operation Ireland and Dublin City Council in making it all happen.”
The Taoiseach’s announcement today took place at the Irish Embassy in London. He is in London to address the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) annual conference, as well as to attend a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Cameron in Downing Street. Ireland’s participation in The Lord Mayor’s Show is the culmination of a week-long ‘Ireland in London’ programme, which includes: British Irish Chamber of Commerce tech group gathering; 10 November British Irish Chamber of Commerce delegation at COBCOE (Council of British Chambers of Commerce in Europe); 11 November Dublin Chamber of Commerce networking event, House of Commons; 12 November Mayors and Lord Mayors of Ireland visit 10 Downing Street; 13 November Irish International Business Network (IIBN) 5th annual global conference; 13 November Networking reception at the Embassy of Ireland; 13 November.
Christopher Moran, Chairman of Co-operation Ireland; HE Dan Mulhall, Irish Ambassador to Great Britain; Taoiseach Enda Kenny; and Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, at the announcement of Ireland’s first ever participation in The Lord Mayor’s Show, in the Irish Embassy in London.