First Irish-born Lord Mayor of the City of London to get Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award 

Donegal County Council has announced Alderman Vincent Keaveny CBE as the second of this year’s recipients of the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award for 2025. 

This year’s award ceremony will take place at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana on Friday, October 17.

Originally from Dublin with deep Donegal roots, Vincent Keaveny made history as the first Irish-born Lord Mayor of the City of London, serving in 2021/22. 

A distinguished lawyer and civic leader, he has spent decades championing inclusion, sustainable finance, and socio-economic diversity across the UK’s financial services sector. 

In 2023, he was awarded a CBE for his services to socio-economic diversity, his contribution to British-Irish relations and the City of London.

Vincent’s mayoral theme, People and Purpose, focused on growing the UK’s global competitiveness in Environmental and Social Governance and sustainable finance, while promoting social mobility and diversity. 

He led initiatives such as the inaugural Net Zero Delivery Summit and the Finance for Impact programme, and continues to serve as Chair of Progress Together, a membership body advancing socio-economic diversity in financial services.

Speaking on being nominated as a 2025 awardee, Vincent Keaveny said: “As the son of a Donegal man, and the first Irish citizen to serve in the historic office of Lord Mayor of London, I am delighted to receive the Tip O'Neill Irish Diaspora Award this year. The Award connects a part of the world that is very important to me and my family with the work I have been doing in London in recent years as a member of the diaspora community. It is wonderful to be back in Donegal to receive this special recognition.”

Vincent is a graduate of University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin and has been recognised as UCD’s Law Alumnus of the Year. 

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He holds honorary titles from several institutions, including Gray’s Inn and City St George’s, University of London, where he is an honorary visiting professor. 

His civic contributions span cultural, educational, and charitable organisations, reflecting a lifelong commitment to public service and embodying the best of the spirit of our Global Irish Community.

Vincent Keaveny will be honoured alongside fellow 2025 awardees Danny Hutton, Eileen Donaghey, and Seán Donaghey.

Tickets for the 2025 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards are on sale at Eventbrite.