Jerry Carroll

Father

Fr Jerry (Jeremiah) Carroll was ordained in 1989. His early service was in the parishes of Evander and Pomeroy in the Diocese of Dundee in South Africa. He spent 17 years working in South Africa before returning to Ireland. In 2005 he joined the Defence Forces and became Chaplain to the Air Corps in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. He served overseas with the first Irish Finnish Battalion, 35th Infantry Group in Lebanon in 2006. He has also served with the 97th Infantry Battalion in Chad and the 45th Infantry Group in Lebanon. At the time of his interview he was preparing for his next trip to Lebanon with the 109th Infantry Battalion. Fr Carroll was interviewed for the Military Archives Oral History Project on 20th September 2016.

The effect of Africa

Jerry Carroll
Interviewed for MAOHP - 20/09/2016
Location(s): Dundee

Length: 0.39

In this clip, Father Jerry Carroll, the Chaplain to the Air Corps speaks about the time he spent working as a missionary in South Africa and reflects on the impact of Europeans in that continent as well as how the experience affected him as a person.

Tragedy for Defence Forces

Jerry Carroll
Interviewed for MAOHP - 20/09/2016
Location(s): Galway Mayo Border

Length: 2.12

In this clip, Father Jerry Carroll, the Chaplain to the Air Corps, discusses his role as Air Corps Chaplain and outlines some of the memories and emotions associated with this work including funerals, weddings etc. He recalls that 'the saddest funeral' he ever officiated was after the deaths of Captain...

Roger Casement

Jerry Carroll
Interviewed for MAOHP - 20/09/2016
Location(s): Casement Aerodrome

Length: 1.28

Here, Father Jerry Carroll, the Chaplain to the Air Corps refers to his interest in the history of the Air Corps and broader Defence Forces. He discusses the humanitarian and Irish republican patriot Roger Casement (who Baldonnel is named after) and outlines his admiration for the humanitarian and patriot. He...

South African experiences – Ten days to leave

Jerry Carroll
Interviewed for MAOHP - 20/06/2016
Location(s): Dundee

Length: 4.02

In this clip, Father Jerry Carroll, the Chaplain to the Air Corps discusses Bishop Michael Paschal Roland (Franciscan), who encouraged Jerry to move to Dundee in South Africa in the province of Natal. He speaks about training for the priesthood and his decision to move to South Africa, initially for...

Words of Comfort

Jerry Carroll
Interviewed for MAOHP - 20/06/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 1.37

In this clip, Father Jerry Carroll, the Chaplain to the Air Corps speaks about a novel called 'Cutting for Stone' and uses the narrative to explain the value of 'treatment administered by the ear' in the case of an emergency, which are 'words of comfort'.

Philosophy on life

Jerry Carroll
Interviewed for MAOHP - 20/09/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 0.56

Here, Father Jerry Carroll, the Chaplain to the Air Corps reflects on his life and offers a brief summary of his philosophy on life.

The Moment of Battle

Jerry Carroll
Interviewed for MAOHP - 20/09/2016
Location(s): Djabal refugee camp

Length: 2.20

In this clip, Father Jerry describes vividly his recollections of a serious incident in Chad in 2008. There Irish troops on patrol near the eastern Chadian town of Goz Beida came under fire, while troops in a Djabal refugee camp were also confronted by the Janjaweed, a militia that operate...

‘The greatest missionary force to ever leave the shores of Ireland’

Jerry Carroll
Interviewed for MAOHP - 20/06/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 1.15

In this clip, Father Jerry Carroll, the Chaplain to the Air Corps, speaks passionately about the role of Irish peacekeepers which he describes as 'the greatest missionary force to ever leave the shores of Ireland'.