A Dublin native has become the first Irish person in recent times to be inaugurated as Lord Mayor of the City of London.
Vincent Keaveny was sworn in today at the Royal Courts of Justice and is the 693rd person to hold the office.
The Lord Mayor of London serves as the elected head of the City of London Corporation and their terms last one year.
A spokesperson for the office told RTÉ that other mayors with Irish links included William McArthur, who assumed office in 1880 and was from Co Donegal.
"Vincent is the first Irish person in recent times to take the role," he added.
Mr Keaveny assumed office yesterday and today's Lord Mayor's Show - which dates back to the 13th century - is the first official engagement of a new mayor.
The procession included full-size model elephants, Japanese drummers, and a horse-drawn bus, while the state coach is the oldest ceremonial vehicle in the world still in regular use, according to show organisers.
A number of people were arrested after Extinction Rebellion protesters disrupted the celebrations.
Footage shared on social media showed activists blocking the route of the parade, forcing riders on horseback to stop and the new Lord Mayor's golden state coach to come to a halt.
Police officers were seen dragging people out of the road while crowds who had lined the streets watched on.
A City of London Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of a group of protesters in the City today.
"City of London Police officers are engaging with the group to minimise disruption. A number of arrests have been made."
Delighted and honoured to have just taken office as the 693rd Lord Mayor of the City of London, at the silent ceremony in Guildhall. pic.twitter.com/JuRgtMlZPP
— Lord Mayor, City of London (@citylordmayor) November 12, 2021
Extinction Rebellion said it was trying to deliver "the Children's Charter" to the Lord Mayor, which read: "We stand here the day after COP26, which has failed to bring about the action necessary to tackle the climate and ecological emergency, to call on you to prioritise the next seven generations above the short-term greed that focuses on wealth accumulation right here in the City of London."
The organisation said the action was in response to the "failure" of COP26, and protesters dressed up wearing giant heads depicting British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak while others locked themselves together in the roads.
Miranda Duncombe, a mother and member of the XR Families group, said: "COP has failed to deliver the transformative changes needed to keep us at 1.5C of warming, a complete betrayal of our children.
"If the City of London was a country, it would be the ninth largest emitter in the world. The City's banks and asset managers provide loans and investments for the projects and companies that are killing us.
"I am here for my children's future. Our government has failed to act to protect them.
"I'm calling for the City of London to divest from fossil fuels immediately for the children everywhere who are dying due to the climate crisis and those who will die in the future."
