Irish Civil War plaque remembers ‘All Lives Lost in Dundalk Military Barracks'

On Wednesday 25 January, Óglaigh na h-Éireann / Defence Forces Ireland, Aiken Barracks Commemorative Committee and OC 27 Infantry Battalion, Lt. Col. Frank Colclough, unveiled a specially commissioned commemorative plaque to remember "All Lives Lost in Dundalk Military Barracks" during the Irish Civil War period.

The plaque was designed by Lt. Pádraic Agnew and Sgt Riccardo Lucchesi, as part of the Aiken Barracks Commemorative Programme, 2022 – 2023. It lists the names of Pro and Anti treaty forces that were killed in action during the Battle of Dundalk Military Barracks on 14 August 1922.

The plaque also lists the name of three local Anti-Treaty soldiers, who were executed on 22 January 1923 in Dundalk Military Barracks.

The event was attended by family members of the soldiers listed on the plaque and also family members of prominent Fourth Northern Division personnel, including Mr Frank Aiken Junior, whose father was the OC of the Fourth Northern Division.

The plaque commemorates the sacrifice on both sides of Óglaigh na h-Éireann during the Civil War. The plaque also symbolises reconciliation 100 years later and the maturity of the Irish people to be able to come together and remember all lives lost.

Fr Derek Ryan from St, Josephs Church attended the ceremony, blessing a commemorative wealth and offering a prayer of reconciliation in memory of all lives lost during the Civil War.