Fr Padraig O’Donovan, Vice Regional Director of Ireland, reports on the recent visit of a group affiliated with the Heritage for Korean Independence Foundation to present a plaque in memory of Columbans Patrick Dawson, Thomas Ryan, and Austin Sweeney. These three Columbans were imprisoned in Korea in the 1940s during the Japanese occupation, charged with anti-Japanese activities. To this day, they remain the only Catholic priests in Korea who have been formally honoured by the State for their contribution to Korea’s independence.
From 14th – 18th September 2025, a group of 15 people affiliated with the Heritage for Korean Independence Foundation visited Ireland on an academic trip to learn more about the Irish struggle for Independence. This visit gave them the opportunity to express their gratitude to the Irish people, especially the descendants of those who participated in the Korean War.
The organisation is called ‘Heritage of Korea Independence’. Among the delegation were descendants of Korean independence activists, as well as lawyers, journalists and civic leaders.
This visit holds special significance as South Korea commemorates the 80th anniversary of its liberation from Japanese colonial rule this year.
During the four-day visit the group greatly appreciated the opportunity to learn from Ireland’s own experience of independence and the engagement of an exchange of perspectives.
As part of their programme, they visited Dalgan on Monday September 15th to present a Certificate of Appreciation in memory of Columbans Frs Patrick Dawson, Thomas Ryan and Augustine Sweeney.
All three were based in Jeju in the 1940s. They were arrested, tried, and jailed for their involvement in anti-Japanese activities. Thomas Ryan and Augustine Sweeney were released after two years. Patrick Dawson remained in prison for more than three years and was released only on 15th October 1945, following Japan’s surrender.
To this day, they remain the only Catholic priests in Korea who have been formally honoured by the state for their contribution to Korea’s independence.
The executive director of the Heritage of Korean Independence Ryu Min presented the Certificate of Appreciation to Fr Padraig O’Donovan in the presence of Fr Tony O’Brien who gave a warm greeting in Korean to the group which was much appreciated.
Present also were Columbans Frs Kevin Fleming, Pat O’Donoghue, Cyril Lovett and John McEvoy.
The executive director also presented two replica grandfather watches presented in a lovely display box both watches were replica of the watches worn by Dr Yun Bong-Gil and Baekbeom Kim Gu, who fought for the independence of South Korea.
