Podcast: Tipperary Casualties in the Korean War by James Durney

When the North Korean Peoples’ Army invaded the Republic of South Korea on 25 June 1950 it began a war that was to last three years, leave millions dead and bring the world to the brink of a third world war and nuclear destruction. Within weeks hundreds of Irishmen would be fighting and dying on the far side of the world.
Irish missionaries had also been in Korea since the 1930s with the Columban Fathers. Of the 117 Irish fatalities, five were from Co. Tipperary, while several more became captives of the Communists, including Bishop Tom Quinlan, of Borrisoleigh.
James Durney is an author/historian who works in the Local Studies and Genealogy Department, based in Newbridge Library. He is the author of twelve books on local and Irish history. James also works as a tour guide for the Kildare Heritage Company. James has worked on several TV projects for RTE and TG4 He is Chairman of the Co. Kildare Federation of Local History Groups; Chairman of Naas Local History Group; and a Committee member of the Co. Kildare Archaeological Society.