‘We celebrate, we remember and we protect’: Mosaic honouring Irish community’s contribution to Islington unveiled in Navigator Square

St John’s pupils in front of the mosaic. Photograph: Julia Gregory

A mosaic celebrating the Irish community’s culture and contribution to life in Islington has been unveiled in a square named in their honour.

Ireland’s ambassador to the UK Martin Fraser joined the celebrations and said: “I’m delighted to see Ireland’s contribution, which makes this city such a wonderful place to live in, recognised.”

Year 5 pupils from St Joseph’s, Yerbury, Hargrave Ark and St John’s Upper Holloway primary schools helped reveal the mosaic.

They were involved in making some of the tiles, which feature the Whittington Hospital where many Irish nurses worked.

The artwork was commissioned by Islington Council and designed by Catherine Clark and Maud Milton.

The nine panels depict the lives of Irish navvies and nurses, and Irish heritage through items such as coins, national symbols and traditional Celtic art.

The eagle-eyed will also spot a cat, with its links to Dick Whittington and the nearby Highgate Hill.

The mosaic is on display at the newly created Navigator Square – a name was picked by residents. It is taken from the early Irish “navvies” who found jobs in construction in England in the 19th century.

Generations of Irish Londoners made Archway their home.

“It’s important to have the Irish community’s contribution recognised,” said Pat Reynolds, who ran Irish community bookshop Green Ink nearby and the London-Irish Fair.

He said: “The presence of the Irish community has almost been written out.”

The mosaic is close to the Archway Tavern, which was a popular place for Irish Londoners to enjoy music before they headed down Archway Road to the Gresham ballroom, he said.

Kathy Walton and Rachel Isherwood from Meitheal Cheoil entertained with traditional music that was popular with the Irish community arriving in London.

Council leader Kaya Comer-Schwartz said the mosaic celebrates the past and future and is “handcrafted, just like the navigators who handcrafted our roads.”

She added: “It’s important to celebrate the diversity of our borough. The celebration of migrants who have given us so much has to be fought for.

“We celebrate, we remember and we protect.”