School pupils in front of the mosaic they helped create

A NEW mosaic celebrating Irish navvies and nurses is an important reminder of the impact immigrants have on a community.

The nine-panelled artwork was unveiled on Wednesday to a crowd in Navigator Square in Archway with performances of Irish traditional music.

It was created by artist Maud Milton with hand-made tiles by the Year 5 pupils of St Joseph’s, St John’s Highbury Vale, Yerbury, and Hargrave Park primary schools.

“The mosaic we’re about to see today was created to celebrate Irish heritage in Islington,” said Sean McGovern, heritage project manager with Islington Council. “The work pays tribute to Irish navvies, from which the Navigator Square takes its name, and the nurses who made Islington their home.”

Archway has been the home of a vibrant Irish community since they began to arrive in the 1830s, prior to the Irish famine. As time went on The Gresham Ballroom, which is now a branch of Sainsbury’s, and the Archway Tavern became hotspots for Irish people to meet each other and find community after leaving home.

Irish Ambassador Martin Fraser at the unveiling

Irish “navvies”, who built many of Archway’s roads, were first given the name when they came to England in the 19th century and constructed the canal systems. As the world developed new technology they moved on to building the railways and motorways, but the name “navvies” stayed the same.

Council leader Kaya Comer-Schwartz, who was born in Whittington Hospital and grew up in Archway, sees the mosaic as an opportunity to remember how important immigrant communities are and have been in London.

“It’s particularly important that we celebrate the diversity of our community at the moment,” she said. “We know that isn’t something that comes easily – the safety and contribution of migrants that have given us so much is something that has been fought for, and sadly has to be continued to be fought for. Today we celebrate, we remember, and we protect our beautiful community in Islington.”

The mosaic’s nine panels feature different aspects of Irish culture, including old Irish coins, Celtic symbols from The Book of Kells, and shamrocks.

Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Sean McGovern and Becky Wright, deputy head of Yerbury Primary School

Mr McGovern, who worked with the pupils to create the mosaic, is Irish, having grown up in Longford and moved to London 13 years ago. He said his heritage made it easier for the project to move away from stereo­typical images, adding: “That’s why we only have one panel of shamrocks.

“Heritage is a way for people to feel connected to the culture that they have, or the cultures of their classmates or neighbours.

“While we know that one mosaic isn’t going to suddenly rid Archway of any social ills, it does give a greater sense of pride and sense of place in the community.”

Mayor Marian Spall unveiled the mosaic, paying tribute to Archway’s Irish residents and their families.

“We thank them for their contribution, along with migrants from all over the world who made the decision to leave their communities and form new ones here,” she said. “To all second, third and fourth generation Irish people, this mural is for you too.”

Irish Ambassador Martin Fraser attended the unveiling. “It makes me really proud as the Irish Ambassador to see what our community has done to be recognised by your community,” he said.

“The story of the Irish in London – it’s a long, long story, and a hard one at times, but it’s a story of great achievement as well.”