Aran remembers Galway peacekeeping hero

Family, friends and former colleagues of an Aran Island peacekeeper – officially missing in action since 1981 – gathered on Inis Oírr for a moving ceremony to remember their fallen hero last week.

The Minister for Defence Simon Coveney, Lt Gen Conor O’Boyle and Department of Defence Secretary General Maurice Quinn were among the dignitaries in attendance at the ceremony in honour of Saighdiúir Singil Caomhán Seoighe on Inis Oírr last Friday.

The ceremony was dedicated to the memory of SS Seoighe who has been Missing In Action since an incident in Dynater, South Lebanon, on April 27 1981 where he had been deployed with 48 Inf Bn with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

The dignatories led by Brig Gen Kieran Brennan (General Officer Commanding, 1 Brigade), gathered with members of Caomhán’s family, his home unit An Chéad Chathlán Coisithe and colleagues from 48th Infantry Battalion for Mass in Teampall Chaomhán and the unveiling and blessing of a monument.

Mass on Friday was celebrated by Fr Gearóid Ó Gríofa who was joined by Aran Islands PP Fr Mairtín Ó Conaire and Fr Paul Murphy CF – recently returned from Lebanon – and Fr Robert McCabe CF. The homily was delivered by Fr John D. Keane.

The altar in Teampall Chaomháin was dressed for the Mass by Caomhán’s sister Máire in a “Damascus cloth” and with two candlesticks which had been purchased in Lebanon.

Photos of Caomhán with colleagues and his classmates from primary school were placed in the window frame of the sunken chapel on the island.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.