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Patrick MacGill (24 December 1889–November 1963) was an Irish journalist, poet and novelist, known as "The Navvy Poet" because he had worked as a "navvy" (itinerant labourer) before he began writing.
Patrick was born in Glenties, County Donegal. A statue in his honour is on the bridge where the main street crosses the river in Glenties.During the First World War, MacGill served with the London Irish Rifles (1/18th Battalion, The London Regiment) and was wounded at the Battle of Loos on 28 October 1915 .

In early 2008, a creative documentary named An Paísti Beo Bocht was commissioned about the life of Patrick MacGill. One of the film's locations was the boathouse of Edinburgh Canal Society at Edinburgh on the Union Canal, and one of its rowing boats.

"I am one of the million or more male residents of the United Kingdom, who a year ago had no special yearning towards military life, but who joined the army after war was declared. At Chelsea I found myself a unit of the 2nd London Irish Battalion, afterwards I was drilled into shape at the White City and training was concluded at St. Albans, where I was drafted into the 1st Battalion. In my spare time I wrote several articles dealing with the life of the soldier from the stage of raw "rooky" to that of finished fighter. These I now publish in book form, and trust that they may interest men who have joined the colours or who intend to take up the profession of arms and become members of the great brotherhood of fighters".
PATRICK MACGILL.
"The London Irish,"
British Expeditionary Force,
March 25th, 1915.