Memorial at Green Bridge to honour barracks personnel

A community memorial service took place at the Green Bridge in Mullingar on Saturday morning last, November 29, to honour all who had served in Columb Barracks, their families, and those who died in service. Several dozen people gathered at 11am before moving afterwards to Clarke’s Lounge on Patrick Street for refreshments.

The programme began with a welcome from Col Jim Prendergast (rtd), former Officer Commanding Columb Barracks. Sgt Gerry Coyne (rtd) then read the Roll of Honour, remembering those who served between 17 February 1948 and the closure of the barracks on 28 March 2012.

Col Prendergast laid a wreath on behalf of the organising group, followed by a blessing from Fr Robert McCabe, former chaplain at Columb Barracks, and Rev Ian Horner. A minute’s silence was observed, which ended with Cpl Andy Creevy of 2 Bde Artillery Regiment reciting a four-line verse from a poem by Theodore O’Hare.

A group photograph was taken before attendees made their way to Clarke’s for a cuppa and a chat.

During the ceremony, particular remembrance was given to the long Roll of Honour of those who died in service, including: Pte James Rehil (1954); Cpl L O’Sullivan (1954); Cpl J Farrell (1957); Gnr Paddy Rowe (1963); Pte Gerard Mackey (1963); Pte Andrew Foran (1965); Pte Martin O’Brien (1966); Cpl Johnny McAnaney (1967); Lt Malachy O’Curry (1968); Sgt Jonny Banville (1968); Sgt John Reid (1971); Cpl Mick Clinton (1973); RQMS Pierce Callaghan (1974); Gnr Martin O’Brien (1974); Sgt Tony Scally (1974); Gnr Mick Doyle (1974); Gnr Tommy Ryan (1974); Gnr John ‘Shamie’ Barden (1980); Cpl Joseph Flanaghan (1980); Gnr John Chrichton (1980); Gnr Danny Hegarty (1985); RSM Mick ‘Champ’ Maher (1985); Cpl Patsy McDonagh (1985); Sgt Kevin Lynhan (1985); Cpl Olly Creevy (1989); BQMS Jimmy Harney (1989); Pte Florence ‘Florrie’ Meehan (1998); Gnr Dan Dyer (1999); Gnr James ‘Butch’ Maher (2006); Sgt Aiden Gibney (2009); Gnr Martin Archibold (2009); Gnr Nigel ‘Nigie’ Costello (2011); Sgt John ‘Fester’ Fagan (2012); and Gnr Lee Scally (2012).

Attendees also remembered comrades who had passed away as veterans before, during and after the closure of the barracks. The ceremony concluded with the well-known lines from Theodore O’Hare’s poem, honouring the “brave and fallen few” whose “silent tents are spread on fate’s eternal campground”.

Among the event organisers was Noel O’Callaghan, Regimental Sergeant Major (rtd).