Soldiers who served in Jadotville siege to be remembered at Cork City Hall fundraiser 

A commemorative fundraiser will take place at Cork City Hall on Friday highlighting the strife of Irish soldiers who served in the Siege of Jadotville in the Congo in 1961.

The event, entitled ‘Jadotville Remembered’, will be hosted by the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (One), and will take place at 6pm.

The aim of the event is to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of the Irish soldiers who served in the Congo during the 1960s, while also raising vital funds for Irish veterans facing homelessness.

The Battle of Jadotville remains the largest military action carried out by the Irish Army against foreign troops since the formation of the Irish State.

The peacekeeping mission, which saw the Irish 35th ‘A Company’ battalion deployed to the Katanga Province, included 155 Irish soldiers.

Rules of engagement

Despite the initial rules of engagement restricting them from firing their weapons, the Irish veterans fought off up to 3,500 enemy soldiers and survived.

The ‘A Company’ battalion was led by Commandant Pat Quinlan, who was from Caherdaniel in Co Kerry.

While several attacks were launched against the Irish soldiers when stationed in Jadotville, seeing thousands of Kantagese soldiers deployed to their compound, as well as one aerial bombing, there were no casualties reported among the Irish troops.

The story of the battle will be told in-person at the upcoming commemorative event by Mr Quinlan’s son, Leo Quinlan.

Ahead of the fundraising event, One received a €2,000 sponsorship donation from Benny and Clíona McCabe of Heritage Pubs Cork.

As an organisation, One provides accommodation, advocacy, and welfare and mental health services to veterans throughout Ireland.

A real difference

All funds raised at the event will go directly towards furnishing a new veterans’ home at St Luke’s Cork.

Tracy Connolly, who is the national director of One and chairperson of marketing, said the funds will “make a real difference to veterans who have served our country”.

“Every donation helps us create a home, not just a house, for those who have fallen on difficult times."

“Benny and Clíona’s support sends a powerful message that our veterans are valued and remembered.”

Mr McCabe, owner of Heritage Pubs Cork, said the donation came as “too often our veterans are left behind”.

“They are our patriots, and we have a responsibility to support them,” said Mr McCabe.

Tickets for the event, priced from €15, are available for purchase online via  https://www.eventbrite.ie.

There will also be a limited number of tickets available at the door on the day.

Those interested in making a donation are asked to contact Tracy Connolly on 083 820 2025.