Humanitarian surgeon announced as Waterford Grand Marshal for St Patrick's Day

Esteemed humanitarian and surgeon, Dr Morgan McMonagle has been announced as Grand Marshall of this year's St Patrick's Day Parade in Waterford City.

Originally from Cavan, Dr McMonagle is a vascular surgeon at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) and he was also the 2025 recipient of the RCSI Humanitarian and Community Award for his commitment and service to protecting the lives of others and the welfare of humanity.

While a consultant of trauma surgery at St Mary’s Hospital, London, and through lecturing in Imperial College London, Dr. McMonagle met Professor David Nott, a general and vascular surgeon who had experience volunteering in disaster and conflict zones and subsequently established the David Nott Foundation.

Dr McMonagle joined the David Nott Foundation, which trains doctors in countries impacted by conflict and catastrophes. 

His first mission with the Foundation was in the West Bank in Palestine. He has since been to Ukraine on two occasions, once to Lebanon and more recently on two missions to Gaza.

Upon receiving the RCSI Humanitarian and Community Award, Dr McMonagle said: “In my most recent mission to Gaza, the hospital that I was operating and living in was bombed. I was in the Intensive Care Unit of Nasser Hospital when the building was struck. At the time of the strike, I was working on two patients with an American colleague. Some Palestinian staff members ran into the ICU to confirm the building had been hit, and I could also see fire and smoke from the window."

Dr McGonagle said survival instinct kicked in immediately.

“I immediately went into survival mode, thinking through the layout of the floor to remember where the fire escapes were… it was very visceral, very instinctive," he said.

“Traditionally, the fundamental pillars of humanitarianism are humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence," he added.

"In recent times I have been very vocal about what I have experienced and witnessed on various missions. Some might call my impartiality into question, but the reality is that the traditional ‘rule book’ for conflict is changing."

Speaking with obvious passion and sincerity he said: "I don’t believe that me or any of my colleagues are purposely trying to change the role of humanitarian actors. However, we are kind of being forced to speak out – to advocate on behalf of the people, on behalf of the truth, and on behalf of humanity because others are being deliberately blocked from doing so."

"If something is repugnant, it behoves all right-minded and reasonably thinking people to call it out," he said.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan said it was an honour to have Dr McGonagle at the head of this year's parade.

"Waterford is honoured to have Dr McMonagle leading the St. Patrick’s Day Parade," he said.

“He is the epitome of all that is good in the world. While his day job as a vascular and trauma consultant at UHW is undoubtedly as demanding as it is rewarding, Dr. McMonagle continues to go far beyond the call of duty," he added.

"Time and again, he gives selflessly of his expertise, compassion and personal time, choosing to place himself in harm’s way to deliver life-saving care to those who need it most, often in some of the world’s most perilous conflict zones."

Mayor Ryan said Dr McGonagle's experiences providing medical aid in war-torn areas were harrowing.

“His experiences providing medical aid in Palestine, Ukraine and Gaza can only be described as harrowing, exposing him to the very worst of human suffering and devastation," he said.

"Yet, guided by an unshakeable sense of humanitarian responsibility, he continues to offer his invaluable skills to communities in war-torn and disaster-stricken regions, embodying extraordinary courage, resilience and humanity," he added.

The 2026 St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival celebrations will take place over five days from March 13th to March 17th.

Any local businesses, groups or clubs interested in participating in this year's parade can find out more and register interest at https://stpatricksfestivalwaterford.com