The new Irish Ambassador to Korea, Seán Hoy, paid a visit to Dalgan this week to meet members of the Columbans who served in Korea and to hear about the Columbans who were martyred in the Korean War.
Enniskillen-born Ambassador Hoy was previously Ambassador to Sudan and Brazil. He succeeds Ambassador Michelle Winthrop who returns to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin.
Many previous Irish ambassadors in Seoul maintained close ties with Columbans in Korea, especially with the late Fr PJ McGlinchey through his St Isidore farm and pastoral centre in Jeju Island.
The visit came about because Ambassador Hoy expressed an interest in meeting Columbans who served in Korea before his departure for Seoul on 7th August 2026.
Photo: ColumbanMissionimages
This was conveyed to the community in Dalgan through Soonie Delap, a member of the Ireland-Korea Association and a long-time Korean resident in Dublin.
Soonie Delap contacted Ireland-Korea Association member Fr Brendan MacHale who arranged with Fr David Kenneally to invite Ambassador Hoy and his wife Susan to Dalgan.
During the lunch, Fr Kenneally recalled his visit to Korea some years ago as part of the International Scout Jamboree. He also highlighted the recent developments in Dalgan including the upgrading of salmon spawning beds on the Skene river, the Boyne tributary running through Dalgan’s land. The project is part of the Columbans’ commitment to care for the earth and biodiversity.
Photo: ColumbanMissionimages
Fr Kenneally also gave Ambassador Hoy a brief introduction to the history of the seven Columbans martyred during the 1950-1953 Korean War.
Their photos are displayed in the chapel in Dalgan chapel among the 24 Columbans killed on mission since the Society’s founding in 1918.
We wish Ambassador Hoy every blessing in his new and important assignment in Korea.
Photo: ColumbanMissionimages