Coosan Memorial

02/09/2026

🇮🇪 SEPTEMBER – WE REMEMBER
This September, we remember the Irish soldiers who lost their lives while serving overseas in the cause of peace.

SOUTH LEBANON 🇮🇪🇺🇳

Pte Michael Dowling - 16/9/1998
Tpr Jonathan Campbell - 5/9/1999
Cpl Peter Ward – 29/09/1992, he was laid to rest in Coosan Cemetery, Athlone.

CONGO 🇨🇩🇺🇳
Tpr Edward Gaffney – 13/09/1961
Tpr Patrick Mullins – 15/09/1961
Cpl Michael Nolan – 15/09/1961
FSO Frank Eivers – 18/09/1961
Comdt Malachy McMahon – 28/09/1963

MONUC 🇨🇩🇺🇳
FSO Paul O'Donnell – 02/09/2005

MIDDLE EAST 🇺🇳
Comdt Michael Nestor – 25/09/1982

Different missions. Different years. One shared commitment to peace.
Gone, but never forgotten. 🇮🇪

07/08/2026

Their names are etched into the pages of history 🇮🇪🫡

47 Irish soldiers gave their lives serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon between 1978 and 2022, Ireland's deadliest UN posting. Every name on this list represents a family who waited, and a country that owes them its gratitude. We honor them today, and always.

One respectful light is all that was requested from Athlone Town Council. 🇮🇪

07/08/2026

Many missions. Many families. One National Flag. One small respectful light.🇮🇪

06/08/2026

🇮🇪 Today, the Irish National Flag flies high at the Coosan UN Memorial in memory of Pte Stephen O'Connor, who lost his life serving in Lebanon on 6 August 1997.

He was another young Irish soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the cause of peace. We will remember him, and all our fallen Irish peacekeepers, with pride and respect.

"Still waiting for a light to honour their memory at Coosan"

06/08/2026

This is why we are flying our national flag every single day at Coosan Cemetery. 🇮🇪💚

Since 1958, over 30,000 Irish troops have served in Lebanon, and 47 never came home—more than in any other UN mission Ireland has undertaken. It represents over half of all Irish deaths on overseas service. Ireland holds the longest unbroken UN peacekeeping record of any nation on Earth.

06/08/2026

How can this still not be resolved?

Athlone Co. Council has said it cannot install a light at the Coosan Memorial Monument for our falling soldiers because of concerns about bats and wildlife. Yet anyone who visits Coosan Cemetery at night can see that many graves are already illuminated. We have suggested a low-level, warm LED light directed only at the Irish National Flag, with minimal impact on wildlife like many flag poles home and abroad

This isn't about politics or taking sides. It's about showing respect to the Irish soldiers who gave their lives serving with the United Nations, the soldiers still serving today, and the families who continue to remember them.

We hope a solution can now be found. We ask our local representatives, Not including Paul Hogan he was the only Local TD that help families out again this not about taking sides its about doing what is right, Boxer Moran, Aengus O'Rourke and Frankie Keena ,can ye help bring this matter to a respectful conclusion.

The families, veterans and thousands of people across Athlone are all asking the same question:

Why is this taking so long to resolve? 🇮🇪

04/08/2026

19/07/2026

🇮🇪 Tomorrow morning, the Irish Tricolour will fly once again at the Coosan UN Memorial in honour of another young Irish peacekeeper.

Trooper Paul Fogarty was just 23 years old when he lost his life serving with the United Nations in Lebanon on 20 July 1986 Paul Fogarty came from a family with a long tradition of military service. Like so many Irish peacekeepers, he had his whole life ahead of him but made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace.

May we never forget his courage, his service and his sacrifice.

Rest in Peace, Soldier. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís. 🇮🇪

15/07/2026

156 Irish soldiers. 3,000 enemies. Five days. No reinforcements. No water. No relief. Commandant Pat Quinlan from Kerry dug trenches before the attack came. He knew it was coming. For five days his men held off Katangese gendarmes and French Belgian and Rhodesian mercenaries. No Irish soldier died. When Quinlan surrendered to save his men Ireland called them cowards. It took fifty six years to give them a medal. They deserved it from day one. Share this — because the men of Jadotville deserve to be remembered by every Irish family in the world. 🇮🇪

23/06/2026

Today we remember Pte Niall Byrne of Athlone, who tragically lost his life while serving with the United Nations in South Lebanon on 23 June 1981 at just 21 years of age.

Niall proudly served with the 6th Infantry Battalion, Athlone, and his sacrifice and service will never be forgotten.

He was laid to rest in Coosan Cemetery, where his memory remains close to the community he called home.

Today we remember Niall, his family, his comrades, and all those affected by his loss.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam 🇮🇪