Learn about Mayo's military heroes at home and abroad through a special Mayo Day event taking place from 10:30 to 16:00 on Saturday, 2 May 2026.

The event is organised by O.N.E (the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel) and will be hosted at the National Museum of Ireland in Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

The day will feature a talk by Captain Noel Carey - the last surviving officer from the Battle of Jadotville in the Congo in 1961; a display of military vehicles; and an outdoor performance by the Foxford Brass and Reed Band from 11am to 1pm. There will also be a career information desk about the Irish Defence Forces.

Admission is free but places for the talks are limited and booking is recommended. Please book a morning session ticket (10.30am - 12.30pm) or an afternoon session ticket (1.30pm - 4pm).

If you would like to attend all talks on the day, please book a morning and an afternoon session ticket. 

See the full programme and booking links below.

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10:30
Welcome and introduction

with Coy Sgt Seamus Bourke

Coy Sgt Séamus Burke R.P.N, RGN (Ret’d), Secretary of the R.N.A.I., has 28 years of nursing experience and is a trainer in stress management with an interest in trauma resolution. He has served in the FCA for 30 years and trained as a weapons coach. He has been a member of the O.N.E. for six years and is a marching instructor in the Foxford Brass & Reed Band.

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10:30 - 11:00
The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (O.N.E.)

with Commandant Mike Reynolds 

Comdt Michael Reynolds is in the Mayo Branch of the O.N.E. He served in the Defence Forces Reserve for 39 years. A Dublin native, he has lived in Maam, Connemara since 1997.   

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11:00 - 11:45
Mayo Military Heroes

with Captain Donal Buckley

Captain Donal Buckley MA (Hist) served as an Infantry Officer for 22 years, mainly on the Border. He served two UN tours in Lebanon and one in Western Sahara. He is now a historian, author, battlefield guide and freelance lecturer.

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11:50 - 12:30
Famous Irish Military Men and Women

with Commander Ron Howko

Commander Ron Howko was born in Flint Michigan and served in the US Army for 27 years. He has been 29 years in the American Legion Branch in Co. Mayo. His military career involved being a small arms gunsmith and 18 years as a visual information specialist and TV producer/director in North Carolina, Frankfurt, Los Angeles and Washington. He has presented 44 US burial flags to families of Irishmen buried in Ireland who served with US forces and lectures frequently on this research.

Book a Morning Session Ticket for the above talks

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12:30 - 13:30 
Break

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Book an Afternoon Session Ticket for the below talks

13:40 - 14:40
The Battle of Jadotville 

with Captain Noel Carey

Captain Noel Carey served as an Infantry Officer and was deployed to the Congo and Cyprus with UN forces. He is the last surviving officer from the Battle of Jadotville in the Congo in 1961. This was the most significant action that Irish forces took part in since the Civil War and to date.

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14:45 - 14:55
Hall of Fame Awards

with Mr. Kevin Bourke

Mr. Kevin Bourke is a former Mayo Person of the Year, who is well known for his work with Rehab and with numerous charities. He organises the annual Mayo Diaspora Awards.

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15:00 - 15:20
Mayo Peace Park

with Mr. Michael Feeney MBE

Mr. Michael Feeney MBE is a historian and author from Castlebar. He is the founder of the Mayo Peace Park and Garden of Remembrance. He has written a series of books including the ‘Heroic Mayo' - which tells the story of Mayo people who served and died with the Allied Forces during the World Wars and other foreign wars and conflicts, as well as on United Nations peacekeeping operations.

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15:30 - 16:00
Question and Answer session​

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Mayo Military Heroes takes place from 10:30 to 16:00 on Mayo Day, Saturday, 2 May 2026. Admission is free.

Due to anticipated interest in this event, pre-booking a place is highly recommended. Please book a morning session ticket (10.30am - 12.30pm) or an afternoon session ticket (1.30pm - 4pm). If you would like to attend all talks on the day, please book both a morning session and an afternoon session ticket. 

Book a Morning Session Ticket
Book an Afternoon Session Ticket

 

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