Heritage Week: ‘Columb Barracks and Me’ oral history

As part of Heritage Week, Regimental Sergeant Major Noel O’Callaghan (Ret.), delivered an illustrated talk in Mullingar Library about his oral history project ‘ Columb Barracks and Me’.

“I have conducted 40 oral histories of service to date, all of which are now held in the local studies section of Mullingar Library and our Defence Forces Military Archives in Cathal Brugha Barracks Dublin,” explains RSM Noel O’Callaghan.

“It records the experiences of retired and serving soldiers of all ranks who served in Columb Barracks Mullingar."

On the night, samples of the recordings were played with clips of retired comrades, as well as a slideshow of an overseas mission.

The evening was well attended and RSM O’Callaghan hopes that more veterans will come forward to record their service to ensure their legacy is not “lost in time”.

Noel explains that he became interested in recording the oral histories during lockdown.

“Two things happened during that time, firstly a wonderful Vision Document was produced by an the Columb Barracks Restoration and Regeneration Committee. It was detailed and inclusive, and was submitted to the Land Development Agency who are in the process of taking our Community Barracks over from the Department of Defence for development.

“At the start of the Vision document are the following words, ‘The sound of the clock in our Chapel in Columb Barracks chimes every day, like our Military, always in the background but always present, mostly silent.’

“The sound of the clock reminds me that the clock is ticking fast for Columb Barracks and our retired Veterans," says RSM O'Callaghan.

“It struck me that even if they have the vision and foresight to use our document as a template, the fact is that Columb Barracks will be gone forever as we know it.

“Secondly, and most importantly, there was a huge loss of retired soldiers of all ranks during those two years due to illness and age. The funerals of those we lost is a reminder that the clock is ticking for our Defence Force Veterans organisations, and non aligned Veterans. In the not too distant future, there will be no retired Veterans left living in Mullingar and the local areas.

“That is why I decided to undertake this project. Columb Barracks Mullingar is much more than the walls and buildings of our Barracks. Those who served in Columb Barracks were also more than the unit identification badge or the rank on their arm – their oath, respect and loyalty being their bond.

“Columb Barracks was about people - our people, our soldiers of all ranks, their families, and the civilian workers who also served with them. It was a community barracks in every sense of the word.”

Funded by Creative Ireland, and facilitated by Melanie McQuade, Heritage Officer with Westmeath County Council, Noel completed an online oral history course instructed by Tomás MacConmara, Oral Historian and Director of MacConmara Heritage Consultant.

“Having completed the course, I set up the ‘Columb Barracks and Me’ Oral History Project. The aim of my interviews is to capture the stories and history of those who have served our citizens and our country in Mullingar, but also on the greater island of Ireland.

“Each story as important and unique as any other, regardless of rank, service or unit – even more so to family.”

On the night, Noel gave his sincere thanks to his two “wonderful assistants”, daughter Rebecca O Callaghan, and granddaughter Aleesha.

“There is no Future, if we in the Present do not pay Homage to the Past,” he finishes.