Centenary of Patrick Columb's death commemorated at barracks named after him

A ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Patrick Columb who was killed in 1922, aged 20, was held at Mullingar’s Columb Barracks, named after him, earlier today, Sunday. He and Joe Leavy were shot dead on the streets of Mullingar on April 27, 1922, in exchanges between pro and anti-Treaty forces.

Members of the Columb family from all over the country attended as did several public representatives including Minister Robert Troy, TD, and Minister Peter Burke, TD, Cllrs John Shaw, Michael Dollard, a veteran soldier, and Bill Collentine, vice chairman of Westmeath County Council and chairman of Mullingar Tidy Towns committee who organised the event.

Historians Jason McKevitt and Ruth Illingworth were present along with several members of the ONET and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association who delivered military honours, among them Andrew Byrne and Paul Kiernan who provided the musical accompaniments.

Four of Patrick Columb’s great grandnieces performed at the centenary celebration. Dr Shalini Columb, daughter of Frank Columb who was present, read a poem, Emir Kellagher from Donegal played a moving piece on the violin, Aisling Hayes McGowan read a passage in Irish, and Bailey Columb led the gathering in a prayer to commemorate his death and for peace “that his death was not in vain.

A wreath was laid at the Oglaigh Naisunta na hEireann monument at the gates of Columb Barracks, by Mel Columb, nephew of Patrick, who was present with his wife, Nora Mannix from Ballinalee, their sons, Ronan, Conor and Ciaran and their families. Bill Collentine, Mullingar Tidy Towns, and Johnny McEntee of Mullingar ONET also laid wreaths.

Post 20 IUNVA took the proceedings through the military ceremony before Minister Troy presented a commemorative plaque to Mel Columb who said it would hang with pride in the family homestead in Dernaferst, Lough Gowna, and be treasured by generations of Columbs to come.

See Tuesday's Westmeath Examiner for a full report and more photos.