The Columbans in Ireland were represented at the Korean National Day celebrations at the Clayton Hotel, Ballsbridge (Dublin) on 6th October 2025 by General Manager, Philip Gunn.
During his speech, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Ireland, His Excellency Mr Yong lol-Kim, thanked the Columban Fathers for their help in rebuilding post-war Korea in the 1950s.
He also referred to the wonderful tapestry commemorating the Columban Martyrs who died in Korea. The work was commissioned by Jacqueline Creaven d’Towey, a relative of Martyr Fr Francis Canavan. Artist Frances Crowe designed and hand-crafted it.
In December, Jacqueline Creaven d’Towey will present the tapestry to the people of South Korea through the Irish Embassy in Seoul in collaboration with the Columbans in Korea.
