The Irish Defence Forces’ first UN peacekeeping mission to the Congo - a four year campaign that cost the lives of 26 Irish soldiers - forms the subject of TG4’s acclaimed documentary ‘Troid ar son na Síochána’, now available on DVD.
Since its broadcast on December 19th and 22nd 2012, audience demand for the documentary has been huge, prompting production company Cowshed Media to release this inspiring Irish story in time for St Patrick’s Day.
Covering the years 1960-64, the production combines interviews with surviving veterans with archive footage to tell the heroic tale of young Irish soldiers who volunteered to head off into the unknown, on a journey filled with danger.
Over 200,000 people in Dublin saw the Irish soldiers off as they departed on US troop carriers for central Africa on what was the first and only time a United Nations peacekeeping mission became one of ‘peace-enforcement’ and the first time Irish soldiers were engaged in combat since the foundation of the State.
The documentary stands as a tribute to the first young Irish peacekeepers that lost their lives in the cause of peace, in what is an Irish ‘Band of Brothers’.
‘They were the true pioneers. Through their service, their dedication, their courage and sacrifice they began a proud tradition, a tradition that continues to the present day.’ Lt. Gen. Seán McCann, Chief of Staff Irish Defence Forces
Preview footage from the documentary can be found by clicking here.
