The Galway-based French Honorary Consul has issued an appeal to the public to help recover and share the stories of Irish men and women who served with the Irish Red Cross Hospital in St Lô, Normandy, between December 1945 and January 1947.
In the aftermath of the Second World War, the town of St Lô lay in ruins. In response, Ireland made an extraordinary humanitarian gesture by sending medical and support staff to establish and run a Red Cross hospital for the local population. Doctors, nurses, orderlies, cooks, drivers, and volunteers left home to help a community they had never met, offering care, compassion, and hope at a time of great need.
This week, Catherine Gagneux, French Honorary Consul based in Galway, is reaching out to the public to help reconnect those individual stories with the wider Irish community. She is gathering memories, family records, photographs, letters, and personal recollections for a forthcoming exhibition dedicated to the Irish Red Cross Hospital in St Lô.
Many families may know that a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle “went to France after the war,” without realising the historical importance of their contribution. Others may have kept quiet mementoes—an old photograph, a diary, a Red Cross badge, or a letter home—that could now help complete the picture of this remarkable chapter in Irish humanitarian history.
This is a community project as much as a historical one. It is about honouring service, recognising quiet acts of solidarity, and ensuring that the people behind the uniforms are remembered by name and story.
Relatives, descendants, and anyone with information—no matter how small—are warmly encouraged to come forward. Every memory helps, and every contribution matters.
By sharing these stories, families will help preserve a unique bond between Ireland and France and ensure that the legacy of compassion shown by Irish Red Cross staff in St Lô continues to be remembered and celebrated.
Please contact Catherine via email at [email protected]
Below is a list of the nurses and doctors from the west of Ireland:
Julia Anne Brennan from Claremorris, Mayo – Nurse
Angela Buckley from Ballyhaunis, Mayo – Nurse (died in 1998 )
Mary Agnes Corrigan Co.Roscommon – NurseMary Josephine Cullinan Co.Galway – Nurse
Nora Cinningham Ballyhaunis Mayo – Nurse
Bridget Fahey ‘Dilly’ Ballindine Mayo – Nurse
Moira McGriskin Co.Leitrim – Nurse
Dr Kitty O’Sullivan Claremorris Mayo – Doctor
Patrick J McNicholas ‘Paddy’ -Galway – Ophtamologist
Eileen Mullaly ‘Nellie’ Mullingar Westmeath – Nurse
Brendan Hynds Co Westmeath – Chaplain
Eileen A Dunne Portlaoise Offaly – Nurse
Johanna Burke Clonmel Tipperary – Nurse
Margaret’Doc’ Doherty Abbeyfeale Limerick – Nurse
Desmond John Leahy – Co Clare – Doctor
Eileen (Nellie ) Mullaly – Mullingar Weastmeath – Nurse
Nora O’Connor – Liscannor Co Clare – Nurse
Ellen (Ella ) O’Driscoll Valentia Island Kerry Nurse
Breda O’Rahelly Moyglass Co Tipperary – Nurse
Margaret (Madge ) Trehy Co Tipperary – Nurse
A McGriskin Co Leitrim – Nurse
