Soldiers attached to Custume Barracks in Athlone, from the 127th Infantry Battalion, pictured this week as they displayed their Athlone GAA, Westmeath and Offaly colours at Camp Shamrock in Lebanon.

Christmas messages from Westmeath, Roscommon and Offaly soldiers in Lebanon

Adrian Cusack

Published: Fri 19 Dec 2025, 6:11 PM

Some 360 Irish soldiers departed last month for a six-month mission serving as peacekeepers with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The soldiers are attached to the 127th Infantry Battalion, the lead unit of which is drawn from Athlone's Custume Barracks.

We received these Christmas messages from some of the soldiers from Westmeath, Offaly and Roscommon who are currently serving in Lebanon.

Westmeath

Sgt Willy Archibald (Mullingar): "I'd like to say hello to my partner, Emma, and children Ella, Fiachra, Fionn and Bonnie lil, and my mum Betty. On Christmas Day we will go for our 10km walk in the morning and then look forward to our Christmas dinner. After dinner, I’ll be looking forward to a classic Christmas movie, Die Hard."

Capt Andrew Dunne: ‘My name is Capt Andrew Dunne and I am 2i/c A Coy 127 Inf Bn UNIFIL. I am from Mullingar. I would like to say hello to my wife Clelia, daughters, Amelia, Alayna and Aoife, and my nephew Tommy. I would also like to say hello to my parents, Adrian and Geraldine, and hope they all have a very happy Christmas.

"I am looking forward to hearing how good Santa Claus will be to all the kids at home, and also opening my welfare box on Christmas day and seeing the gifts my family have packed for me. See you all in the new year!"

Offaly

* FS Denise English: "I am Flight Sergeant Denise, from Edenderry. I have a lot of people back home that I’d love to wish a Merry Christmas to but I’ll have to narrow it down to the children on Santa’s nice list – Charlotte, Cooper, Callum, Donacha, Zahra, Sienna, Freya and Amelia, with a special wish for happiness to my Da, Paddy, and my fiancé, Eddie.

"I’m hoping that for Christmas there will be some sort of battalion activity followed by a nice dinner (thanks Locky) but most importantly, starting the day off with a call to see who got what off Santy.

"I’m very fortunate to be in the company of the great people of the 127 Infantry Battalion, but I miss my family and friends. I hope they all have an amazing Christmas and new year. Wishing everyone here in Lebanon a happy and safe time too."

* Cpl Adam Delaney: "My name is Cpl Adam Delaney, and I’m from Rahan, County Offaly. I’d like to say hello to my family back home, and my girlfriend Amie. On Christmas Day, my brother and I will be calling home to our family."

Roscommon

Gnr Leon Smith King: "My name is Leon and I'm from Roscommon town. I'm an AUV driver with the 127 Infantry Battalion. I’d like to say hello to all my family back home. On Christmas day, I’ll be singing Christmas songs and ‘dominating’ the pool table in the canner."

Sgt Niall Kilcrann: "My name is Niall Kilcrann and I’m from Rooskey, County Roscommon. I want to say hello to my fiancée Aisling and my mother Kathleen, brothers, Shane, Michael and Dermot, sister Nuala, nieces, Chloe and Caitlin and all my family and friends in Rooskey and Kilglass GAA club.

"This Christmas in Lebanon I’ll be thinking of all those at home that I can’t be with and also thinking about all those who are no longer with us at home this Christmas."

* See next week's Westmeath Independent for an interview with Lt Col Mark Lennon, from Ballymahon, who is the officer in charge of the 127th Infantry Battalion in Lebanon.