View source for Irish Army

{{Short description|Land service branch of the Irish Defence Forces}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Irish Army
| native_name                   = {{nativename|ga|nolink=on|An tArm}}
| image                         = Badge of the Irish Defence Forces.svg
| caption                       = [[Irish Defence Forces cap badge|Badge of the Defence Forces]]
| dates                         = 1922–present
| country                       = {{flag|Ireland}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Army]]
| role                          = [[Land warfare]]<br>[[Peacekeeping]]
| size                          = 6,322 active personnel <small>(Establishment: 7,520) (Apr 2023)<ref name="size">{{cite web |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-06-13/237/ |publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard |title=Defence Forces Strength (Dáil Éireann Debate – Tuesday, 13 June 2023) |date=13 June 2023 |access-date=25 August 2023 |quote=''The established strength and current strength of the Defence Forces as at 30 April 2023 is [..] Army 7,520 .. 6,322 [..] Air Corps 886 .. 711 [..] Naval Service 1,094 .. 764 [..] Army Reserve 3,869 .. 1,382 [..] Naval Service Reserve 200 .. 77 [..] First Line Reserve N/A .. 275'' |archive-date=4 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804221822/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-06-13/237/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small> <br />1,382 [[Army Reserve (Ireland)|Reserve]] <small>(Establishment: 3,869) (Apr 2023)</small><ref name="size"/>
| command_structure             = [[Defence Forces (Ireland)|Defence Forces]] ([[Irish language|Irish]]: Óglaigh na hÉireann)
| garrison                      = 
| garrison_label                = 
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = 
| colors                        = 
| colors_label                  = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = 
| battles                       = [[List of wars involving the Republic of Ireland|''see list of wars'']]
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| disbanded                     = 
| flying_hours                  = 
| website                       = [http://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/army/ Defence Forces – Army]<!-- Commanders -->
| commander1                    = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the President of Ireland.svg|size=25px}} [[President of Ireland|President]] [[Michael D. Higgins]]
| commander1_label              = Supreme Commander
| commander2                    = Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy<ref>{{cite news |title=Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy appointed as new Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/rossa-mulcahy-appointed-as-new-chief-of-staff-of-the-defence-forces-6639587-Mar2025/ |access-date=4 March 2025 |publisher=[[TheJournal.ie]] |date=4 March 2025}}</ref>
| commander2_label              = Chief of the Defence Staff
| commander3                    = [[Brigadier general|Brigadier General]] Caimin Keogh<ref>{{cite web |title=GOC 1 Bde |url=https://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/army/1-brigade/goc-1-brigade/|publisher=Defence Forces Ireland |access-date=4 March 2025}}</ref>
| commander3_label              = [[General officer commanding|GOC]] [[1st Brigade (Ireland)|1 Brigade]]
| commander4                    = Brigadier General Stephen Ryan<ref>{{cite web |title=GOC w Bde |url=https://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/army/2-brigade/goc-2-brigade/ |publisher=Defence Forces Ireland |access-date=4 March 2025 |archive-date=13 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213185240/https://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/army/2-brigade/goc-2-brigade/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| commander4_label              = GOC [[2nd Brigade (Ireland)|2 Brigade]]
| commander5                    = Brigadier General	Stephen Ryan<ref>{{cite web |title=GOC DFTC |url=https://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/army/defence-forces-training-centre/goc-dtfc/ |publisher=Defence Forces Ireland |access-date=4 March 2025 |archive-date=22 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722122940/https://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/army/defence-forces-training-centre/goc-dtfc/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| commander5_label              = GOC [[Defence Forces Training Centre|DFTC]]
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Flag of the Irish Defence Forces.svg|200px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Flag
| identification_symbol_2       = 
| identification_symbol_3       = 
| identification_symbol_4       = 
| identification_symbol_2_label = 
| identification_symbol_3_label = 
| identification_symbol_4_label = <!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_attack               = 
| aircraft_bomber               = 
| aircraft_electronic           = 
| aircraft_fighter              = 
| aircraft_helicopter           = 
| aircraft_helicopter_attack    = 
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo     = 
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole = 
| aircraft_helicopter_observation = 
| aircraft_helicopter_utility   = 
| aircraft_interceptor          = 
| aircraft_patrol               = 
| aircraft_recon                = 
| aircraft_trainer              = 
| aircraft_transport            = 
| aircraft_helicopter_transport = 
}}

The '''Irish Army''' ({{langx|ga|an tArm}}) is the land component of the [[Defence Forces (Ireland)|Defence Forces]] of [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]].<ref name=IDF>The Defence Forces are made up of the Permanent Defence Forces – the standing branches – and the [[Reserve Defence Forces]]. The Army is part of the PDF.</ref> As well as maintaining its primary roles of defending the State and internal security within the State, since 1958 the Army has had a continuous presence in [[peacekeeping]] missions around the world. The Irish Army is organised into two brigades.<ref name="org">{{cite web |author=Irish Defence Forces Press Office |title=Irish Army – Organisation and brigade structure |url=http://www.military.ie/army/organisation |access-date=13 December 2012 |publisher=Official Defence Forces Website |archive-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025104331/http://www.military.ie/army/organisation |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="western">{{cite web |author=Irish Defence Forces Press Office |date=30 November 2012 |title=Ceremonial Stand Down Parade of the 4th Western Brigade |url=http://www.military.ie/press-office/news-and-events/single-view/article/30-november-2012-ceremonial-stand-down-parade-of-the-4th-western-brigade/?cHash=3a03b84dca5de5214889a73549dda4ba |access-date=13 December 2012 |publisher=Official Defence Forces Website}}</ref>The [[Air Corps (Ireland)|Air Corps]] and [[Naval Service (Ireland)|Naval Service]] support the Army in carrying out its roles.

The Army has an active establishment of 7,520, and a reserve establishment of 3,869. Like other components of the Defence Forces, the Irish Army has struggled to maintain strength and {{as of|2023|4|lc=on}} had only 6,322 active personnel,<ref name="size" /> and 1,382 reserve personnel. However, the Irish government introduced several measures in an attempt to improve recruitment and retention,{{fact|date=February 2025}} and in 2024 inductions to the Defence Forces exceeded discharges.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O’Keeffe |first=Cormac |date=2025-01-29 |title=Many EU nations in 'full war preparation mode', raising pressure on Irish neutrality |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41563492.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Irish Examiner |language=en |quote=Army strength fell from 6,920 in 2020, to 6,136 in 2023 and to 6,099 in 2024 [..] [However] inductions (768) did exceed discharges (674) in 2024 |archive-date=6 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206192425/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41563492.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Roles of the Army ==
The roles of the Army are:
* To defend the Irish state against armed aggression.
* To give aid to the civil power (ATCP). This means that the Army assists, when requested, the [[Garda Síochána]], who have primary responsibility for law and order in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]].
* To participate in multinational peace support, crisis management and humanitarian relief operations in support of the [[United Nations peacekeeping]] missions, and [[EUFOR]] (UN-sanctioned peacekeeping missions only).
* To carry out other duties which may be assigned to them from time to time. For example, assistance on the occasion of natural disasters, assistance in connection with the maintenance of essential services, etc.

==History==

===Beginning of the Army===
The Defence Forces, including the Army, trace their origins to the [[Irish Republican Army (1919–1922)|Irish Republican Army]] (IRA), the [[guerrilla]] organisation that fought British government forces during the [[Irish War of Independence]]. In February 1922, the [[Provisional Government of Ireland (1922)|Provisional Government]] began to recruit volunteers into the new [[National Army (Ireland)|National Army]].

The Provisional Government was set up on 16 January 1922 to assume power in the new [[Irish Free State]]. On 31 January 1922, a former IRA unit (the [[Dublin Guard]]) assumed its new role as the first unit of the new National Army and took over [[Beggars Bush Barracks]], the first British barracks to be handed to the new Irish Free State. The National Army's first Commander-in-Chief, [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]], envisaged the new Army being built around the pre-existing IRA, but over half of this organisation rejected the compromises required {{Citation needed|date=December 2018}} by the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] which established the Irish Free State, and favoured upholding the revolutionary [[Irish Republic]] which had been established in 1919.

As such, from January 1922 until late June and the outbreak of the [[Irish Civil War]], there existed two antagonistic armed forces: the National Army, built from a nucleus of pro-Treaty IRA units, and armed and paid by the Provisional Government; and the [[Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)|anti-Treaty IRA]] who refused to accept the legitimacy of the new state. Both forces continued to use the [[Irish language|Irish-language]] title [[Óglaigh na hÉireann]], which had previously been used by both the original IRA and its predecessor, the [[Irish Volunteers]] of the mid-1910s. In July 1922, [[Dáil Éireann]] authorised raising a force of 35,000 men; by May 1923 this had grown to 58,000. The National Army lacked the expertise necessary to train a force of that size, such that approximately one-fifth of its officers and half of its soldiers were [[Irish military diaspora#'Irish' named units of the British Army|Irish ex-servicemen]] of the [[British Army]], who brought considerable experience to it.<ref>Cottrell, Peter: ''The Irish Civil War 1922–23'', p.23,+ p.51, Osprey Publishing Ltd. (2008) {{ISBN|978-1-84603-270-7}}</ref>

===Civil War period===
[[File:The Big Fella and The Fighting 2nd (6340864262).jpg|thumb|[[Rolls-Royce Armoured Car]]s pictured during the Civil War]]
The [[pro-Treaty Sinn Féin]] party had won an [[1922 Irish general election|election on 16 June 1922]]. [[Anti-Treaty IRA]] units, who had occupied the [[Four Courts]] in [[Dublin]], had kidnapped [[JJ "Ginger" O'Connell|JJ O'Connell]], a lieutenant-general in the National Army. The [[Provisional Government of Ireland (1922)|Provisional Government]] was facing increasing British threats of direct intervention. They acted to assert control over the situation and The Irish Civil War broke out on 28 June 1922 with the shelling of the Four Courts by [[Free State forces]].

In the early weeks of the Civil War, the newly formed National Army was mainly composed of pro-Treaty IRA units, especially the [[Dublin Guard]], whose members had personal ties to [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]]. Its size was estimated at 7,000 men, in contrast to about 15,000 anti-Treaty IRA men. However, the Free State soon recruited far more troops, with the army's size mushrooming to 55,000 men and 3,500 officers by the end of the Civil War in May 1923. Many of its recruits were war-hardened Irishmen who had served in the British Army [[Ireland and World War I|during the First World War]]. [[W. R. E. Murphy]], a second-in-command of the National Army in the civil war (from January until May 1923), had been a lieutenant colonel in the British Army, as had [[Emmet Dalton]]. Indeed, the Free State recruited experienced soldiers from wherever it could; two more of its senior generals, [[John T. Prout]] and [[JJ "Ginger" O'Connell]], had served in the [[United States Army]].

The British government had supplied the National Army with small arms and ammunition as they departed from Ireland as well as a few armoured cars. They later supplied artillery  which enabled it to bring the Civil War to a relatively speedy conclusion. The Four Courts and O'Connell Street were taken from anti-Treaty IRA units during the [[Battle of Dublin]] in July 1922. The anti-Treaty IRA were also dislodged from [[Limerick]] and [[Waterford]] in that month and [[Cork (city)|Cork]] and [[County Kerry]] were secured in [[Irish Free State offensive|a decisive seaborne offensive]] in August.

The remainder of the war was a [[Guerrilla Phase of the Irish Civil War|guerrilla war]], concentrated particularly in the south and west of the country. On 15 October, directives were sent to the press by [[Piaras Béaslaí]], the Free State director of communications, to the effect that Free State troops were to be referred to as the "National Army", the "Irish Army", or just "troops". The Anti-Treaty troops were to be called "Irregulars" and were not to be referred to as "Republicans", "IRA", "forces", or "troops", nor were the ranks of their officers allowed to be given.<ref>Edward Purdon, The Irish Civil War</ref> National Army units, especially the Dublin Guard, were implicated in [[Executions during the Irish Civil War|a series of atrocities]] against captured anti-Treaty fighters.

The National Army suffered about 800 fatalities in the Civil War, including its commander-in-chief, Michael Collins. Collins was succeeded by [[Richard Mulcahy]].

In April 1923, the anti-Treaty IRA called a ceasefire, and in May it ordered its fighters to "dump arms", effectively ending the war.

===National Army===
With the end of the Civil War, [[National Army (Ireland)|the National Army]] had grown too big for a peacetime role and was too expensive for the new Irish state to maintain. In addition, many of the civil war recruits were badly trained and undisciplined, making them unsuitable material for a full-time professional army. The [[Special Infantry Corps]] was established to perform the army's first post-war duty, [[Strikebreaking|breaking]] the [[Strike action|strikes]] of agricultural labourers in Munster and south Leinster, as well as reversing factory seizures by [[socialist]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wsm.ie/story/758 |title=Workers Solidarity Movement &#124; Anarchist organisation in Ireland |publisher=Wsm.ie |access-date=2013-01-23 |archive-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308045233/http://www.wsm.ie/story/758 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Richard Mulcahy]], the new Irish [[Minister for Defence (Ireland)|defence minister]], proposed to reduce the army from 55,000 to 18,000 men in the immediate post-Civil War period.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |title=March 10th, 1924 |date=10 March 1924}}</ref> This provoked an [[Irish Army Mutiny|Army Mutiny]] in 1923–24, particularly among former IRA officers who considered that former British Army officers were being treated better than they were.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://generalmichaelcollins.com/Cumann_na_nGael/Garrett_Fitzgerald.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319151530/http://www.generalmichaelcollins.com/Cumann_na_nGael/Garrett_Fitzgerald.html |title=Notes on the background of the 1924 "mutiny" |author=Garret Fitzgerald |date=2003 |archive-date=19 March 2011}}</ref>

On 3 August 1923, the new State passed the Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Act, putting the existing armed forces on a legal footing.<ref name="The Establishment of Defence Forces">{{cite web |url=http://www.military.ie/info-centre/defence-forces-history/ |title=Defence Forces – History – Establishment |access-date=23 December 2014 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129232029/http://www.military.ie/info-centre/defence-forces-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This Act raised "''an armed force to be called Óglaigh na hÉireann (hereinafter referred to as the Forces) consisting of such number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men as may from time to time be provided by the [[Oireachtas]]''."<ref name="act1923">{{cite web |url=http://acts.oireachtas.ie/en.act.1923.0030.1.html |title=Number 30/1923: DEFENCE FORCES (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ACT, 1923 |access-date=23 December 2014 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721130253/http://acts.oireachtas.ie/en.act.1923.0030.1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="military.ie">{{cite web |url=http://www.military.ie/dfhq/pubrel/publications/DFHistory.pdf |publisher=Defence Forces |website=military.ie |title=A Pictorial History of Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Defence Forces of Ireland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118204316/http://www.military.ie/dfhq/pubrel/publications/DFHistory.pdf |archive-date=18 November 2007}}</ref><ref name="defence.ie">{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.ie/website.nsf/document+id/26086C722DF0255B802570B6003785D0 |title=Department of Defence – About Us |publisher=Defence.ie |access-date=2013-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702163714/http://www.defence.ie/website.nsf/document+id/26086C722DF0255B802570B6003785D0 |archive-date=2 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The date of the establishment of the Defence Forces was 1 October 1924.<ref name="military.ie"/> The term "National Army" fell into disuse.

The Army had a new establishment, organisation, rank markings, headdress and orders of dress.<ref name="defence.ie"/><ref>Donal MacCarron, The Irish Defence Forces, Osprey 2004</ref> The National Army's Air Service became the [[Air Corps (Ireland)|Air Corps]] and remained part of the Army until the 1990s. An all-[[Irish language]]-speaking unit was created – ''[[Irish Army Infantry Corps#An Chéad Chathlán Coisithe|An Chéad Chathlán Coisithe]]'' (English: The First Infantry Battalion) was established in Galway, and functioned exclusively through the medium of the Irish state's first official language.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.coimisineir.ie/downloads/Sceim_Oglaigh_na_hEireann_Dracht_Deiridh.pdf |title=Office of an An Coimisinéir Teanga – Scéim Óglaigh na hÉireann 2006–2009 |publisher=Coimisinéir Teanga / Language Commissioner |access-date=31 August 2010 |archive-date=17 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717185450/http://www.coimisineir.ie/downloads/Sceim_Oglaigh_na_hEireann_Dracht_Deiridh.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== The Emergency ===
[[File:OglaighNaHEireann IrishArmy PreEmergency RecruitmentPoster LOWRES.jpg|thumb|Volunteer Force recruitment poster, 1930s]]

Ireland remained neutral during the [[Second World War]], which was referred to as "[[The Emergency (Ireland)|The Emergency]]" by the Irish government. About 5,000 soldiers deserted and joined the British military.  Those who returned in 1945 were summarily dismissed from the armed forces and disqualified from any form of state-funded employment for seven years.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0612/breaking47.html |title=Pardon for WWII Allies deserters – The Irish Times – Tue, Jun 12, 2012 |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=2012-06-12 |access-date=2013-01-23}}</ref> These soldiers received an official amnesty and apology from the government of Ireland on 7 May 2013.<ref>{{cite web |author=Paul Williams |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/shatter-finally-brings-in-amnesty-for-deserters-who-fought-nazis-29246463.html |title=Shatter finally brings in amnesty for deserters who fought Nazis |work=The Irish Independent|date=2013-05-07 |access-date=2013-05-10}}</ref>

Despite the Irish stance of neutrality, the Army was greatly expanded during the war (with more recruited to [[Army Reserve (Ireland)|reserve forces]]). At its peak, the army was made up of almost 41,000 personnel, with another 106,000 reservists.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of the Army|url=https://www.military.ie/en/public-information/defence-forces-museums/defence-forces-history/history-of-the-army/history-of-the-army.html|website=military.ie|access-date=8 July 2020|archive-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427081616/https://www.military.ie/en/public-information/defence-forces-museums/defence-forces-history/history-of-the-army/history-of-the-army.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon the outbreak of war two independent [[brigade]]s were raised. During the so-called [[Phoney War]] period, numbers of men mobilised decreased. The [[Battle of France|Fall of France]], however, saw a significant change in the government's attitude, and by early 1941 seven brigades were mobilised. On 9 May 1941, [[Minister for Defence (Ireland)|Minister for Defence]] [[Oscar Traynor]] approved the establishment of the [[1st Division (Ireland)|1st Division]] and [[2nd Division (Ireland)|2nd Division]], both of which encompassed six brigades, leaving the 5th Brigade to remain independent, as part of Curragh Command.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-07-14 |title=The Irish Army During the Emergency – transcript |url=https://northstrandbombing.ie/interviewees/army-during-the-emergency/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=The North Strand Bombing, 1941 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-01-01 |title=The War Room - Irish Defense Forces Commanders 1939 - 1945 |url=http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/war/high_comm.htm |access-date=2022-03-25 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101171804/http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/war/high_comm.htm |archive-date=1 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>  This expansion was undertaken in the face of potential invasions from either the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] or [[Axis powers of World War II|Axis]] powers (both of whom had drawn up contingency plans to invade [[Ireland]]).<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.irishmanuscripts.ie/pdf/products/99/Reduced%20size%20Chief%20of%20Defence%20Preview.pdf |editor1=Michael Kennedy |editor2=Victor Laing |publisher=Irish Manuscripts Commission |date=2011 |title=The Irish Defence Forces 1940–1949 – The Chief of Staff's Reports |archive-date=10 June 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610202357/http://www.irishmanuscripts.ie/pdf/products/99/Reduced%20size%20Chief%20of%20Defence%20Preview.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[Christmas Raid]] of 1939, the remnants of the IRA stole a large quantity of the Irish Army's reserve ammunition from its dump at the [[Magazine Fort]] in Dublin's [[Phoenix Park]]. While this was seen as an embarrassment for the Irish Army, most of it was recovered.

For the duration of the war, Ireland, while formally neutral, tacitly supported the Allies in several ways. For example, the [[Donegal Corridor]] allowed British military aircraft based in [[County Fermanagh]] to fly through Irish airspace to the Atlantic, thereby greatly increasing their operational range.<ref name=sligo>{{cite web |last=McGowan |first=Joe |title=Irish Neutrality: Sacred Cow or Pious Wish? |work=SligoHeritage |date=March 2005 |url=http://www.sligoheritage.com/history(shannon).htm |access-date=11 June 2015 |archive-date=21 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821193525/http://www.sligoheritage.com/history(shannon).htm |url-status=live }}</ref> [[G2 (Republic of Ireland)|G2]], the Army's intelligence section, played a role in the detection and arrest of German spies, such as [[Hermann Görtz]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/the-spy-who-was-left-out-in-the-cold-26095995.html |work=Irish Independent |date=7 February 2001 |title=The spy who was left out in the cold |archive-date=13 June 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613231844/http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/the-spy-who-was-left-out-in-the-cold-26095995.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Peacekeeping missions ==
Since Ireland joined the [[United Nations]] in 1955, the Army has been deployed on many [[peacekeeping]] missions. The first of these took place in 1958 when a small number of observers were sent to [[Lebanon]]. A total of 86 Irish soldiers have died in the service of the United Nations since 1960 (''see [[List of Irish military casualties overseas]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url= http://militarychaplaincy.ie/in-remembrance/ |publisher= Militarychaplaincy.ie |title=In Remembrance – List of personnel who died on service overseas}}</ref>

[[File:IrishArmy 36Btn Congo 1961.jpg|thumb|Irish [[United Nations Operation in the Congo|ONUC]] troops (36 Bn) man a position over the Elizabeth road tunnel during the [[Congo Crisis]], December 1961 (Image: Defence Forces)]]

===Congo===
The first major overseas deployment came in 1960, when Irish troops were sent to the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]] as part of the UN force [[ONUC]]. The [[Belgian Congo]] became an independent republic on 30 June 1960. Twelve days later, the Congolese government requested military assistance from the United Nations to maintain its territorial integrity. On 28 July 1960 [[Lt-Col]] Murt Buckley led the 32nd Irish Battalion to the newly independent central [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Africa|African]] country. This was the most costly enterprise for the Army since the Civil War, as 26 Irish soldiers died.

Nine died in a single incident called the "[[Niemba Ambush]]", in which an eleven-man Irish patrol was ambushed by local tribesmen. Nine Irish soldiers and some 25 tribesmen were killed. A Niemba Ambush commemoration is hosted annually by the Irish Veterans Organisation [[Veterans in Ireland|(ONET)]] in [[Cathal Brugha Barracks]], on the nearest Saturday to the actual date of the ambush.

One of the largest ONUC engagements in which Irish troops were involved was the [[Siege of Jadotville]]. During this action, a small party of 155 Irish soldiers ("A" Company, 35th Battalion) was attacked by a larger force of almost 4,000 [[Katanga Province|Katangese]] troops, as well as French, Belgian and Rhodesian mercenaries, and supported by a trainer jet (a [[Fouga CM.170 Magister]]), equipped for ground attack. The Irish soldiers repeatedly repelled the attackers, and knocked out enemy artillery and mortar positions using 60mm mortars.<ref name="ReferenceA">East Africa and Rhodesia, Volume 38</ref> An attempt was made by 500 Irish and [[Swedish Army]] soldiers to break through to the besieged company, but the attempt failed. A Company's [[commanding officer]] [[Commandant]] [[Pat Quinlan (Irish Army officer)|Patrick Quinlan]], eventually surrendered his forces. A small number of Irish soldiers were wounded, but none killed. It is estimated, however, that up to 300 of A Company's attackers were killed, including 30 white mercenaries, and that up to 1,000 were wounded.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

A total of 6,000 Irishmen served in the Congo from 1960 until 1964.

===Cyprus and the Sinai===
Starting in 1964, Irish troops have served as UN peacekeepers in [[Cyprus]] ([[UNFICYP]]). Over 9,000 Irish personnel have served there to date, without suffering casualties.

In 1973, an infantry group and some logistical troops were pulled out of Cyprus at short notice to serve in the [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]] desert between [[Egypt]] and [[Israel]] as part of the UN force that supervised the ceasefire that ended the [[Yom Kippur War]].

From 1976 to 1981, UNFICYP was commanded by an Irish officer, Major-General [[James J. Quinn (Irish Army officer)|James Quinn]].

===Lebanon===
{{Main|Multinational Force in Lebanon|William O'Callaghan (Irish Army officer)}}

[[File:Irishamylebanon.jpg|thumb|Irish troops serving with [[UNIFIL]] in 2013]]

From 1978 to 2001, a [[battalion]] of Irish troops was deployed in southern [[Lebanon]], as part of the UN mandate force [[UNIFIL]]. The Irish battalion consisted of 580 personnel which were rotated every six months, plus almost 100 others in UNIFIL headquarters and the Force Mobile Reserve. In all, 30,000 Irish soldiers served in Lebanon over 23 years.

The Irish troops in Lebanon were initially intended to supervise the withdrawal of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] from the area after an [[Operation Litani|invasion in 1978]] and to prevent fighting between the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] forces and [[Israel]].

In April 1980, three Irish soldiers were killed in an [[At Tiri Incident|episode of violence near At Tiri]] in Southern Lebanon. On 16 April 1980, soldiers attempting to set up a checkpoint near At Tiri were attacked by members of the [[South Lebanon Army]] (an Israeli-backed Christian militia).<ref>{{citation | url = https://www.aub.edu.lb/ifi/Documents/20130708ifi_UN_rr_Irish_Peacekeeping_english.pdf | title = Irish Peacekeeping in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) A Historical, Political, and Socio-Cultural Study | publisher = Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs | date = June 2013 | editor-first = Rita | editor-last = Sakr | pages = 13,14 }}</ref> Private Stephen Griffin, of the 46th Irish Battalion, was shot in the head and died. Two days later, a party of three Irish soldiers, an American officer, a French officer and two journalists were travelling to a UN post near the Israeli border when they were intercepted by members of the [[South Lebanon Army|S.L.A.]] Private John O'Mahony from Killarney, County Kerry was shot and wounded and his two comrades Privates Thomas Barrett from Cork and Derek Smallhorne from Dublin were driven away. Both men were found shot dead nearby, with their bodies showing signs of torture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/still-no-justice-for-slain-irish-soldiers-25988703.html |title=Still no justice for slain Irish soldiers |publisher=Independent.ie |date=1980-04-18 |access-date=2014-07-16 |archive-date=22 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722044515/http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/still-no-justice-for-slain-irish-soldiers-25988703.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0715/631008-bazzi-lebanon/ |title=Alleged killer of Irish troops faces deportation - RTÉ News |date=15 July 2014 |publisher=RTÉ.ie |access-date=2014-07-16 |archive-date=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716092339/http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0715/631008-bazzi-lebanon/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Another [[1982 Lebanon War|Israeli invasion]] in 1982 forced the PLO out of southern Lebanon and occupied the area. The following eighteen years until 2000 saw [[1982-2000 South Lebanon conflict|prolonged guerrilla warfare]] between Israeli forces, their allies in the South Lebanon Army and [[Hezbollah]]. UNIFIL was caught in the middle of this conflict. The Irish battalion's role consisted of manning checkpoints and observations posts and mounting patrols. A total of 47 soldiers were killed. In addition to peacekeeping, the Irish provided humanitarian aid to the local population – for example, aiding the orphanage at [[Tibnin]]. From 25 April 1995 to 9 May 1996, Brigadier General P. Redmond served as Deputy Force Commander of UNIFIL during a period that coincided with the Israeli [[Operation Grapes of Wrath]] offensive in 1996.

Most Irish troops were withdrawn from Lebanon in 2001, following the Israeli evacuation of their forces the previous year. However, 11 Irish troops remained there as observers. They were present during the [[2006 Lebanon War]]. After this conflict, UNIFIL was reinforced and a mechanised infantry company of 165 Irish troops was deployed to southern Lebanon. Their role was to provide perimeter protection for a [[Finnish Army]] engineering unit. After 12 months, the 1st Finnish/Irish Battalion ceased operations and was stood down from duty after having completed its mandate with UNIFIL. A number of Irish personnel remained in service at UNIFIL HQ in Southern Lebanon.<ref name="unifil">{{cite web |url=http://www.military.ie/overseas/current-missions/unifil |title=Current Missions &#124; Overseas &#124; Defence Forces |publisher=Military.ie |access-date=2013-07-31 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309024721/http://www.military.ie/overseas/current-missions/unifil |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Minister of State Paul Kehoe Presents Medals and Shamrock Lebanon (13219205345).jpg|thumb|Irish troops in Lebanon in 2014]]
Irish battalions returned to Lebanon in 2011 – initially with roughly 480 troops deployed in the region.<ref name="unifil"/> This was reduced to approximately 330 troops in May 2013,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.military.ie/press-office/news-and-events/single-view/article/12-april-2013-defence-forces-troops-prepare-for-deployment-to-lebanon/?cHash=5bc70e96ed8a44ded4915df57378a543 |title=12 April 2013 – Defence Forces Troops Prepare For Deployment to Lebanon &#124; News & Events &#124; Press Office &#124; Defence Forces |publisher=Military.ie |date=2013-04-12 |access-date=2013-12-03 |archive-date=15 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115180449/http://www.military.ie/press-office/news-and-events/single-view/article/12-april-2013-defence-forces-troops-prepare-for-deployment-to-lebanon/?cHash=5bc70e96ed8a44ded4915df57378a543 |url-status=live }}</ref> and further to 180 troops in November 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/lebanon-troops-homecoming-1192846-Nov2013/|title=171 Irish troops due home as their replacements settle in for Christmas in Lebanon | publisher=TheJournal.ie | date=2013-11-27 |access-date=2013-12-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/father-and-son-among-troops-in-latest-lebanon-deployment-612567.html |title=Father and son among troops in latest Lebanon deployment |publisher=BreakingNews.ie |date=2013-11-07 |access-date=2013-12-03 |archive-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207040330/http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/father-and-son-among-troops-in-latest-lebanon-deployment-612567.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As of May 2016, there were 194 Irish soldiers deployed to UNIFIL serving alongside Finnish Armed Forces as part of a joint Battalion which is currently under Finnish command. Ireland takes over command of the Battalion from Finland in November 2016 at which time an additional Company of some 150 personnel will be deployed to UNIFIL bringing Ireland's contribution to this mission to 340 personnel.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2016-05-17a.3434|title=Defence Forces Deployment: 17 May 2016: Written answers (KildareStreet.com)|website=kildarestreet.com|access-date=2016-10-10}}</ref>

In November 2022, 333 Irish soldiers deployed to southern Lebanon as part of UNIFIL's 121st Infantry Battalion. On 14 December 2022, one Irish peacekeeper was killed and seven others were injured in a "serious incident" involving small arms fire in the Hezbollah controlled village of Al-Aqbieh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=‘A tragic event’: Irish soldier dies after convoy comes under attack in Lebanon |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2022/12/15/irish-soldier-dies-after-convoy-comes-under-attack-in-lebanon-defence-forces-says/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=15 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215085008/https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2022/12/15/irish-soldier-dies-after-convoy-comes-under-attack-in-lebanon-defence-forces-says/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Iran and Iraq===
From August 1988 until May 1991, Irish soldiers were deployed under the UN force [[UNIIMOG]], on the border between [[Iraq]] and [[Iran]] to supervise the withdrawal of both sides' forces to within their respective borders after the end of the [[Iran–Iraq War]]. The Irish provided 177 of the 400 UNIIMOG personnel involved with the mission. The mission came to an end in 1991, when Iran and Iraq completed the withdrawal of their troops. A small number of Irish observers were stationed in [[Kuwait]] from 1991 to 2002 as part of [[UNIKOM]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.military.ie/overseas/past-missions/middle-east/unikom/|title=Defence Forces – Past overseas missions – United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission|publisher=Irish Defence Forces|access-date=23 December 2014}}</ref>

===Somalia and Eritrea===
In 1993, 100 troops forming a transport company were deployed in [[Somalia]], as part of the [[UNOSOM II]] peace-enforcing mission. In December 2001, 221 Irish soldiers were sent to [[Eritrea]] as part of [[UNMEE]], and were tasked with the defence of the UN headquarters there.

===Bosnia and Kosovo===
In 1997 an [[Irish Army Military Police]] unit and a company of transport corps troops were deployed to [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] as part of [[SFOR]] (1995–2005) and [[EUFOR]] (December 2005 to present). The MP company was based in SFOR HQ in Sarajevo and policed the 8,000 SFOR troops based in the area. From 1999 until 2010, a company of Irish troops was stationed in [[Kosovo]] as part of [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]].

===East Timor===
In July 1999, Irish officers were sent to [[East Timor]] as part of the [[UNAMET]] observer group (Timorese Independence Referendum). In October, a platoon of Rangers (1 Ircon) from the [[Army Ranger Wing]] (ARW) were sent as part of the [[INTERFET]] peacekeeping force after the Referendum.<ref name="East Timor">{{cite web|title=UNAMET, INTERFET, UNMISET|url=http://www.military.ie/en/overseas/past-missions/asia/unmetuntaet/|website=Defence Forces|access-date=20 November 2016|archive-date=29 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129080005/http://www.military.ie/en/overseas/past-missions/asia/unmetuntaet/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ARW platoon served in the reconnaissance company of the [[Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment|1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Regiment]] (1 RNZIR) Battalion Group for a four-month tour. INTERFET handed over to [[UNTAET]] during ARW 2 Ircon's tour in 2000. The third contingent to East Timor (3 Ircon) in June 2000 marked a new departure for the Defence Forces, as all the infantry sections were drawn from the 2nd Infantry Battalion.<ref name="East Timor" /> Late 2000 saw the 12th Infantry supply 4 Ircon. Nine contingents in total were deployed including 4 Infantry Battalion, 5 Infantry Battalion, 28 Infantry Battalion, 1 Cathlán Coisithe, and finally the 6 Infantry Battalion under UNMISET until May 2004.

===Liberia===
After November 2003, Irish troops were stationed in [[Liberia]] as part of [[UNMIL]]. The Liberian mission was the largest Irish overseas deployment since Lebanon and consisted of a single composite battalion. The UN force, UNMIL, was 15,000 strong and was charged with stabilising the country after the [[Second Liberian Civil War]]. The Irish troops were based in Camp Clara, near [[Monrovia]] and were tasked with acting as the Force Commander's "Quick Reaction Force" (QRF) in the Monrovia area. This meant the securing of key locations, conducting searches for illegally held weapons, patrolling and manning checkpoints on the main roads and providing security to civilians under threat of violence. The Irish deployment to Liberia was due to end in November 2006. However, at that time the deployment was extended for a further 6 months to May 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Release+ID/C2DE7A8FA7C4496E802572350045F4F3?OpenDocument |title= Department of Defence – Press Release Cabinet approval for continued deployment of troops serving in Liberia |publisher= Department of Defence |access-date= 6 December 2006 |archive-date= 27 September 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927203045/http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Release+ID/C2DE7A8FA7C4496E802572350045F4F3?OpenDocument |url-status= live }}</ref> During the UNMIL deployment, a detachment of [[Irish Army Rangers]] successfully rescued a group of civilians being held hostage by renegade Liberian gunmen. Acting on intelligence, twenty heavily armed Rangers were dropped by helicopter, freeing the hostages and capturing the rebel leader.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/crack-troops-rescue-hostages-from-gunmen-in-daring-raid-187696.html|title=Crack troops rescue hostages from gunmen in daring raid|work=[[Irish Independent]]|access-date=2009-04-13|date=2004-01-08|author=Tom Brady|archive-date=12 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512153925/http://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/crack-troops-rescue-hostages-from-gunmen-in-daring-raid-187696.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In all the following battalions were involved in 2,745 cumulative missions under UNMIL:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.military.ie/overseas/past-missions/africa/unmil/|title=Defence Forces – Past overseas missions – United Nations Military in Liberia|access-date=23 December 2014|archive-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224122417/http://www.military.ie/overseas/past-missions/africa/unmil/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 90th Infantry Battalion (4th Western Brigade) – Nov 2003-May 2004
* 91st Infantry Battalion (2nd Eastern Brigade) – May 2004-Nov 2004
* 92nd Infantry Battalion (1st Southern Brigade) – Nov 2004-May 2005
* 93rd Infantry Battalion (4th Western Brigade) – May 2005-Nov 2005
* 94th Infantry Battalion (2nd Eastern Brigade) – Nov 2005-May 2006
* 95th Infantry Battalion (1st Southern Brigade) – May 2006-Nov 2006
* 96th Infantry Battalion (4th Western Brigade) – Nov 2006-May 2007

===Chad===
In August 2007, the [[Government of Ireland|Irish government]] announced that 200 Irish soldiers would be sent to support the [[United Nations]] effort as part of [[EUFOR Chad/CAR]]. As of 2008 500 troops had been deployed<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/christmas/christmas-peace-makers-1582837.html|title=Christmas peace makers|work=[[Irish Independent]]|date=22 December 2008|archive-date=25 December 2008|access-date=8 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225040036/http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/christmas/christmas-peace-makers-1582837.html|url-status=live}}</ref> – 54 of whom were [[Irish Army Rangers]]. In announcing the mission, the [[Minister for Defence (Ireland)|Minister for Defence]] recognised the regional nature of the crisis, involving instability in [[Darfur]], [[Chad]] and the [[Central African Republic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Document+ID/836834F88ECF185E8025739A00440BFF?editDocument|title=Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea secures Cabinet approval for Chad mission|last=Press release|date=20 November 2007|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=4 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716134929/http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Document+ID/836834F88ECF185E8025739A00440BFF?editDocument|archive-date=16 July 2011}}</ref> In accordance with their terms of reference, the deployment of Irish forces was confined to Chad. Ireland contributed the second largest contingent of soldiers to [[EUFOR Chad/CAR]], after [[France]], as part of the mission to establish peace in Chad and to protect refugees from neighbouring Darfur.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/Final%20FACTSHEET%20EUFOR%20TCHAD-RCA%20version%209_EN.pdf|title=EU Military Operation in Eastern Chad and North Eastern Central African Republic (EUFOR Tchad/RCA)|date=March 2009|publisher=consilium.europa.eu|page=1|access-date=1 July 2010|archive-date=22 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022015834/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/Final%20FACTSHEET%20EUFOR%20TCHAD-RCA%20version%209_EN.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0221/chad.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080313024737/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0221/chad.html | publisher= RTÉ News |title= 50 Irish troops arrive in Chad |date= 21 February 2008 |archive-date= 13 March 2008}}</ref> The Irish soldiers conducted operations concerned with the delivery of humanitarian aid, protection of civilians, and ensuring the safety of UN personnel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/new-peace-mission-on-cards-1546136.html|title=New peace mission on cards|work=[[Irish Independent]]|date=20 November 2008|first1=Shane|last1=Phelan|archive-date=1 February 2009|access-date=8 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201151251/http://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/new-peace-mission-on-cards-1546136.html|url-status=live}}</ref> There were a number of deployments to the mission, rotating every four months, with the final contingent completing their tour in May 2010:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30456824.html|title=Irish troops begin return from Chad|access-date=23 December 2014}}</ref>
* 97th Infantry Battalion – June 2008-Oct 2008
* 98th Infantry Battalion – Oct 2008-Jan 2009
* 99th Infantry Battalion – Jan 2009-May 2009
* 100th Infantry Battalion – May 2009-Oct 2009
* 101st Infantry Battalion – Oct 2009-Jan 2010
* 102nd Infantry Battalion – Jan 2010-May 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/irish-troops-returning-from-chad-2186339.html|title=Irish troops returning from Chad|work=Independent.ie|access-date=23 December 2014|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024000155/http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/irish-troops-returning-from-chad-2186339.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Syria ===
In 2013 the United Nations asked Ireland to send peacekeepers as part of the [[United Nations Disengagement Observer Force]] (UNDOF) in the Golan region of Syria, to try to contain the [[Syrian civil war]] from spreading into Israel. The 43 Infantry Group, consisting of 115 personnel, deployed into Syria in September 2013. The group is tasked primarily to serve as the Force Mobile Reserve within the UNDOF Area of Responsibility.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Speech+ID/1219901CE5EC18F880257BDB004829BD?OpenDocument |title=Department of Defence – Speeches |publisher=Defence.ie |access-date=2015-06-20 |archive-date=20 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120073906/http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Speech%20ID/1219901CE5EC18F880257BDB004829BD?OpenDocument |url-status=live }}</ref> The Irish peacekeepers were attacked by Syrian rebels on 29 November 2013. The Irish convoy came under small arms fire and a Mowag APC later struck a land mine, damaging the vehicle, when driving out of the attack. The Irish returned fire with 12.7mm (.50 calibre) heavy machine guns mounted on their vehicles before the rebels retreated.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/irish-troops-fired-on-by-syrian-rebel-units-1.1610984|title=Irish troops fired on by Syrian rebel units|work=irishtimes.com|access-date=30 November 2013|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022756/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/irish-troops-fired-on-by-syrian-rebel-units-1.1610984|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Irish were involved in a combat mission in August 2014 after 44 [[Fiji]]an UN troops were captured by the rebel [[Al Nusra]] organisation. Nearby, 35 [[Philippines|Filipino]] UN troops managed to conduct a successful breakout attempt and an armoured escort from the Irish 44th Infantry Group escorted the Filipino soldiers to safety.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/irish-troops-evacuate-filipino-peacekeepers-in-syria-1.1913151 |title=Irish troops evacuate Filipino peacekeepers in Syria |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=2014-08-30 |access-date=2015-06-20 |archive-date=29 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152017/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/irish-troops-evacuate-filipino-peacekeepers-in-syria-1.1913151 |url-status=live }}</ref> Fire was exchanged with heavy machine guns but there were no casualties on the UN side.<ref>{{cite web|author=Conor Lally |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/irish-troops-prove-their-mettle-on-hostile-syrian-front-line-1.1919554 |title=Irish troops prove their mettle on hostile Syrian front line |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=2015-06-15 |access-date=2015-06-20}}</ref> The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs stated he would withdraw the Irish contingent from Golan unless guarantees could be given about their safety. '"We don't want to see Irish troops or the UN contingent being drawn into a Syrian civil war"', he said.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jim Cusack and John Drennan |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/foreign-affairs-minister-i-dont-want-irish-troops-sucked-into-syrian-civil-war-30567417.html |title=Foreign Affairs Minister: 'I don't want Irish troops sucked into Syrian civil war' |publisher=Independent.ie |access-date=2015-06-20 |archive-date=5 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205023559/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/foreign-affairs-minister-i-dont-want-irish-troops-sucked-into-syrian-civil-war-30567417.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Irish troops were withdrawn into Israeli occupied Golan in 2014. Nevertheless, as of late 2016, 138 Irish troops remained deployed in the region under UNDOF.<ref name="auto"/> In late 2018 the UN contingent returned to the Syria side of the de facto border after Syrian government forces took Daraa and Quneitra from rebel forces in the [[2018 Southern Syria offensive]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/irish-troops-complete-move-back-to-syrian-side-of-golan-heights-1.3619731|title=Irish troops complete move back to Syrian side of Golan Heights|first=Conor|last=Lally|newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref>

==Current overseas deployments==
As of 1 December 2015, 493 Defence Force personnel are serving in 12 different missions throughout the world including Lebanon ([[UNIFIL]]), Syria ([[UNDOF]]), Middle East ([[UNTSO]]), Kosovo ([[Kosovo Force|KFOR]]), German-led Battle Group 2016 and other observer and staff appointments to UN, EU, OSCE and PfP posts.<ref name="deployment">{{cite web|url= https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2015-06-09a.1132|publisher= Dáil Éireann | title= Defence Forces Deployment (Dáil Éireann Debate – Written Answers Nos. 515) – 9 June 2015 – Minister for Defence (Deputy Simon Coveney) |date=9 June 2015 |access-date=11 June 2015}}</ref> 
The largest deployments include:<ref name="deployment"/>
* Lebanon (UNIFIL) 51 Infantry Group<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2015121700074?opendocument#WRT01150|title=Dáil Éireann – 17/Dec/2015 Written Answers Nos. 297-309|access-date=19 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105821/http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2015121700074?opendocument#WRT01150|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Syria (UNDOF) 50 Infantry Group<ref name=":0" />

== Training ==
[[File:Irish Army snipers.jpg|thumb|Two soldiers wearing [[ghillie suit]]s for concealment while in sniper training]]
[[File:CBRN 4 (14271384819).jpg|thumb|[[CBRN defense|Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear]] (CBRN) training]]
All enlisted members of the Army undergo 29 weeks of training in order to become a fully trained infantry soldier. The first 17 weeks is recruit training, after which they become a 2 Star Private. They then undergo a further 12 weeks of advanced training, after which they pass-out as a 3 Star Private, Trooper or Gunner depending on their respective Corps. During this continuous 29 weeks of training, they are required to live in barracks. The Army recruits both men and women.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.military.ie/careers/army/recruits/training/|title=Training {{!}} Recruits {{!}} Army {{!}} Careers {{!}} Defence Forces|website=military.ie|access-date=2016-10-10|archive-date=18 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818140851/http://www.military.ie/careers/army/recruits/training|url-status=live}}</ref>

Recruit training includes foot drill, arms drill, field-craft, medical, radio operation, rifle marksmanship, unarmed combat, counter-IED, tactical and daily physical training (PT). During this stage of training, they are also given weapons training on the [[Steyr AUG|Steyr Rifle]], [[FN MAG|General Purpose Machine Gun]] and grenade.

On completion of recruit training, soldiers become 2 Star Privates and immediately begin 3 Star training. This includes more advanced training of everything covered by recruit training plus riot training, navigation, [[CBRN]], helicopter drills, survival, [[FIBUA]], ATCP training, live fire tactical training, etc. They also receive further weapons training on the [[M203 grenade launcher|M203 Grenade Launcher]] and [[AT4|Short Range Anti-Armour Weapon]].

Throughout their service, soldiers must complete Trained Soldier Specialist Training courses to advance their skills and for promotion.

== Organisation ==
{{Main|Structure of the Irish Defence Forces}}

As of 2023, the Army had an establishment of 7,520 active and 3,869 reserve personnel<ref name="size"/> organised into two brigades.<ref name="org"/> Prior to 2012, the army was divided into three brigades, organised to be responsible for a geographical area of the State: Southern, Eastern and Western.<ref name="western"/> Following [[Post-2008 Irish economic downturn|budgetary decisions in 2011]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/move-to-save-western-brigade-200452.html |title=Move to 'save' Western Brigade |author=Paul O'Brien |work=Irish Examiner |date=12 July 2012 |access-date=13 December 2012 |archive-date=2 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402183822/http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/move-to-save-western-brigade-200452.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the army was reorganised in late 2012 into a two brigades structure.<ref name="org"/><ref name="July2012">{{cite web |url= http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Release+ID/EF9B9BE7707F55B080257A3E0051B506?OpenDocument |title= Re-Organisation of Defence Forces – Department of Defence press release |date= 17 July 2012 |access-date= 14 April 2013 |archive-date= 8 January 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130108164146/http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Release+ID/EF9B9BE7707F55B080257A3E0051B506?OpenDocument |url-status= live }}</ref> The training element of the army, the [[Defence Forces Training Centre]], operates independently of the brigade structure.

[[File:Irish Army formations 2020.png|thumb|360px|Structure of the Irish Army]]

* [[File:Badge of the Irish Defence Forces.svg|25px]] '''Irish Army'''
** [[1st Brigade (Ireland)|1st Brigade]], at [[Collins Barracks (Cork)|Collins Barracks]] in [[Cork (city)|Cork]]
** [[2nd Brigade (Ireland)|2nd Brigade]], at [[Cathal Brugha Barracks]] in [[Dublin]]
** [[Defence Forces Training Centre]], at [[Curragh Camp]] in [[Curragh]]
** [[Army Ranger Wing]], at Curragh Camp in Curragh
** [[Army Reserve (Ireland)|Army Reserve]]

==Army Corps==

===Infantry Corps===
{{Main|Infantry Corps (Ireland)}}
The Infantry Corps represent the largest component and are the operational troops of the Army. They must be prepared for tactical deployment in any location at short notice. In wartime this means that they will be among the frontline troops in the defence of the Irish state. In peacetime, they can be seen daily performing operational duties in aid to the civil power such as providing escorts to cash, prisoner or explosive shipments, patrols of vital state installations and border patrols, including checkpoints.

===Artillery Corps===
[[File:Irish Army 105mm Light Gun Shoot RDF (15) (4110022946).jpg|thumb|105mm [[L118 light gun]] crewed by the Artillery Corps ([[Army Reserve (Ireland)|Army Reserve]])]]
{{Main|Artillery Corps (Ireland)}}
The [[Artillery]] Corps provides fire support as required by infantry or armoured elements. The Corps was founded in 1924 and today consists of two main branches: [[Field Artillery]] and Air Defence.{{Citation needed|date=August 2015}} Between them, the two branches of the Corps provide several vital services;
* Fire support of Infantry or Armoured troops.
* Ground to low-level air defence.
* Light field battery support to Irish overseas battalion.
* Aid to the civil power duties.

Each brigade has a single artillery regiment.{{Citation needed|date=August 2015}}

===Cavalry Corps===
[[File:MOWAG (4120178748).jpg|thumb|Cavalry Corps [[Mowag Piranha|MOWAG Piranha]]]]
{{Main|Cavalry Corps (Ireland)}}
The Cavalry Corps is the army's armoured reconnaissance formation.

===Engineer Corps===
{{Main|Engineer Corps (Ireland)}}
The Engineer Corps is the [[combat engineering]] unit of the Defence Forces. The Engineer Corps is responsible for all [[military engineering]] matters across the Defence Forces.

===Ordnance Corps===
[[File:Best 60 (11498774313) (2).jpg|thumb|upright|A member of an Irish Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team]]
{{Main|Ordnance Corps (Ireland)}}
The responsibility for the procurement and maintenance of all ordnance equipment is vested in the Ordnance Corps and encompasses a spectrum of equipment ranging from anti-aircraft missiles and naval armament to the uniforms worn by military personnel. The corps is also responsible for the procurement of food and provision of commercial catering services. These tasks are of a technical nature and the corps personnel are appropriately qualified and with the expertise to afford technical evaluation of complete weapon systems, it also includes embracing weapons,{{Clarify|date=August 2015}} ammunition, fire control instruments and night vision equipment. The Ordnance Corps provides [[improvised explosive device]] disposal within the state, in support of the Garda Síochána. Courses are conducted for its own personnel and for students from the military and police of other nations. Ordnance Corps personnel continue to serve in overseas missions and are an essential component of missions involving troops.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.military.ie/en/army/organisation/army-corps/ordnance/ |title=Ordnance &#124; Army Corps &#124; Organisation &#124; Army &#124; Defence Forces |publisher=Military.ie |access-date=2015-06-20 |archive-date=19 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119225201/http://www.military.ie/en/army/organisation/army-corps/ordnance/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Transport Corps===
{{main|Transport Corps (Ireland)}}
The Transport Corps is responsible for procurement, management and maintenance of soft-skinned vehicles, and maintenance of armoured vehicles. It is also responsible for the driving standards, training and certification, as well as providing vehicle fuels and lubricants, and certain logistics – such as heavy lift capabilities.

===Medical Corps===
{{Main|Medical Corps (Ireland)}}
The Medical Corps is responsible for promoting health and treating sick or wounded personnel, and has provided medical and dental support in all the Army's main UN missions.<ref name="medical">{{cite web|url=http://www.military.ie/army/organisation/army-corps/medical/ |title=Medical &#124; Army Corps &#124; Organisation &#124; Army &#124; Defence Forces |publisher=Military.ie |access-date=2015-06-20}}</ref> As with [[Medical corps|similar branches in other militaries]], they also sometimes provide humanitarian assistance to local civilian populations – by giving medical aid where local health services are not functioning adequately.<ref name="medical"/>

===Military Police Corps===
{{Main|Military Police Corps (Ireland)}}
The Military Police ({{langx|ga|Póilíní Airm}}, hence the nickname "PAs") are responsible for the prevention and investigation of offences, the enforcement of discipline and the general policing of the Defence Forces. In wartime, additional tasks include the provision of a traffic control organisation to allow rapid movement of military formations to their mission areas. Other wartime rules include control of prisoners of war and refugees. Traditionally, the Military Police have had involvement at State and ceremonial occasions. In recent years the Military Police have been deployed in UN missions (such as Iran and Iraq) and later in the former Yugoslavia (SFOR). The Gardaí assist in providing specialist police training to the Military Police in the field of crime investigation.

===Communications & IT Corps===
{{Main|CIS Corps (Ireland)}}
The Communications and Information Services (CIS) Corps is a support corps responsible for installing, maintaining and operating telecommunications equipment and information systems.

==Rank structure==
{{Main|Irish Defence Forces rank insignia}}

The rank structure of the Irish Army is organised along standard military rank and command structures. These consist of the following ranks:

;Officers
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px; width: 100%"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Ireland}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Combat{{sfn|Perkins|2007|loc=Rank Markings (Slider) – Officers}}
| colspan=4 rowspan=2|
| colspan=2| [[File:Ireland-Army-OF-8 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Ireland-Army-OF-7 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Ireland-Army-OF-6 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Ireland-Army-OF-5 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Ireland-Army-OF-4 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Ireland-Army-OF-3 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Ireland-Army-OF-2 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:Ireland-Army-OF-1b camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=3| [[File:Ireland-Army-OF-1a camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:Ireland-Army-OF-D2 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:Ireland-Army-OF-D1 camo.svg|50px]]
|-  style="background:#6b8e23; text-align:center;"
|'''Abbreviation'''
| colspan=2| Lt Gen
| colspan=2| Maj Gen
| colspan=2| Brig Gen
| colspan=2| Col
| colspan=2| Lt Col
| colspan=2| Comdt
| colspan=2| Capt
| colspan=3| Lt
| colspan=3| 2nd Lt
| colspan=6| Cdt
| colspan=6| Cdt
|}

;Other ranks
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px; width: 100%"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Ireland}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Combat{{sfn|Perkins|2007|loc=Rank Markings (Slider) – Enlisted Personnel}}
| colspan=6| [[File:Ireland-Army-OR-9 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Ireland-Army-OR-8 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Ireland-Army-OR-7 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:Ireland-Army-OR-6 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:Ireland-Army-OR-5 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:Ireland-Army-OR-4 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Ireland-Army-OR-3 camo.svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:Ireland-Army-OR-2 camo.svg|50px]]
|-  style="background:#6b8e23; text-align:center;"
|'''Abbreviation'''
| colspan=6| BSM/RSM
| colspan=2| BQMS/RQMS
| colspan=2| CS/BS/SS
| colspan=6| CQ/BQ/SQ
| colspan=6| Sgt
| colspan=4| Cpl
| colspan=2| Pte/Gnr/Tpr 3*
| colspan=6| Pte 2*
| colspan=2| Rec
|}

==Equipment==
{{Main|List of equipment of the Irish Army}}

===Weapons===
[[File:Defense.gov photo essay 120831-D-VO565-009.jpg|thumb|Army parade (march past) with Steyr AUG service rifles in [[Modern Irish Army uniform|service dress]]]]

The Army has historically purchased and used weapons and equipment from other western countries, mainly from [[Western Europe]]an nations.{{Citation needed|date=September 2015}} Ireland has a very limited arms industry and rarely produces its own armaments.{{Citation needed|date=September 2015}}

From its establishment the Army used the British-made [[Lee–Enfield]] .303 rifle, which would be the mainstay for many decades. In the 1960s some modernisation came with the introduction of the Belgian-made [[FN FAL]] 7.62&nbsp;mm battle rifle. Since 1989 the service rifle for the Army is the Austrian-made [[Steyr AUG]] 5.56&nbsp;mm assault rifle (used by all branches of the Defence Forces).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/army/weapons/platoon-level-weapons/| title = Platoon Weapons – Defense Forces| website = military.ie| access-date = 25 March 2019| archive-date = 25 March 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190325230824/http://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/army/weapons/platoon-level-weapons/| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/inf/steyr/steyr.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101126114616/http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/inf/steyr/steyr.htm | archive-date = 26 November 2010 | title = Army Weapons – Steyr |website = military.ie |access-date = 25 March 2019}}</ref>

Other weapons in use by the Army include the [[Heckler & Koch USP|USP]] 9mm pistol, [[M203 grenade launcher]],<ref name="jones2009"/><ref>{{cite web|url = http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/inf/m203/m203.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101126115506/http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/inf/m203/m203.htm | archive-date = 26 November 2010 | title = Army Weapons – M203 Grenade Launcher| website = military.ie | access-date = 25 March 2019}}</ref> [[FN MAG]] machine gun,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/inf/hmg/hmg.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101126115544/http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/inf/hmg/hmg.htm | archive-date = 26 November 2010 | title = Army Weapons – Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)| website = military.ie | access-date = 25 March 2019}}</ref> [[M2 Browning machine gun]],<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/army/weapons/company-level-weapons/| title = Company Weapons – Defense Forces| website = military.ie| access-date = 25 March 2019| archive-date = 25 March 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190325231211/http://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/army/weapons/company-level-weapons/| url-status = live}}</ref> [[Accuracy International Arctic Warfare]] sniper rifles,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/inf/ai96/ai96.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101126115030/http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/inf/ai96/ai96.htm | archive-date = 26 November 2010 | title = Army Weapons – AI96 Sniper Rifle | website = military.ie | access-date = 25 March 2019}}</ref> [[AT4]] SRAAW,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/inf/sraaw/sraaw.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101126115703/http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/inf/sraaw/sraaw.htm |archive-date = 26 November 2010 | title = Army Weapons – AT4 Short Range Anti-Armour weapon (SRAAW) | website = military.ie | access-date = 25 March 2019}}</ref> [[FGM-148 Javelin]]<ref name="jones2009">Jones, Richard D. ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010''. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (27 January 2009). {{ISBN|978-0-7106-2869-5}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/inf/javelin/javelin.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101126115839/http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/inf/javelin/javelin.htm | archive-date = 26 November 2010 | title = Army Weapons – Javelin | website = military.ie | access-date = 25 March 2019}}</ref> Anti-tank guided missile, [[L118]] 105mm Howitzer,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/arty/105/105.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101126115340/http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/arty/105/105.htm | archive-date = 26 November 2010 | title = Army Weapons – 105mm Howitzer | website = military.ie | access-date = 25 March 2019}}</ref> and [[RBS 70]] Surface to Air Missile system.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://saabgroup.com/media/news-press/news/2017-09/irish-army-conducts-successful-live-firings-of-rbs-70-and-rbs-70-ng/ | title = Irish Army Conducts Successful Live Firings of RBS 70 and RBS 70 NG | publisher = Saab Group | date = 25 September 2017 | access-date = 25 March 2019 | archive-date = 25 March 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190325230824/https://saabgroup.com/media/news-press/news/2017-09/irish-army-conducts-successful-live-firings-of-rbs-70-and-rbs-70-ng/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/arty/rbs70/rbs70.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101126115753/http://military.ie/army/equipment/weapons/arty/rbs70/rbs70.htm | archive-date = 26 November 2010 | website = military.ie | title = Army Weapons – RBS 70 | access-date = 25 March 2019}}</ref>

===Vehicles===
[[File:Irish Army RG-32M Light Tactical Armoured Vehicle LTAV (4520429843).jpg|thumb|The [[RG Outrider]], in use with the Irish Army in various roles]]

The Army has purchased 80 Swiss made [[Mowag Piranha]] [[Armoured personnel carrier]]s which have become the Army's primary vehicle in the [[Mechanized infantry]] role. These are equipped with 12.7&nbsp;mm [[Heavy machine gun|HMG]]s, or the [[Oto Melara]] 30&nbsp;mm [[Autocannon]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Don Lavery |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/veteran-armoured-car-fleet-retired-29235903.html |title=Veteran armoured car fleet retired |publisher=Independent.ie |date=2013-05-01 |access-date=2013-05-08 |archive-date=29 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129080046/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/veteran-armoured-car-fleet-retired-29235903.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Army operates a number of [[RG Outrider]]s.

==See also==
* [[Modern Irish Army uniform]]
* [[Armoured fighting vehicles of the Irish Army]]
* [[Irish Defence Forces cap badge]]
* [[Defence Forces (Ireland)]]
* [[Reserve Defence Forces]]
* [[Irish Army deafness claims]]
* [[Michael Joe Costello|General Michael Joe Costello]]
* [[Dan Bryan|Colonel Daniel Bryan]]
* [[RACO]] – representative association for Commissioned Officers 
* [[PDFORRA]] – representative association for Permanent Enlistees
* [[RDFRA]] – representative association for Reserve Enlistees

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite web |last1=Perkins |first1=James G. |title=Insignia Collection |url=http://www.irishmilitaryinsignia.com/flash/images/flash_index.html |website=Irish Military Insignia |access-date=12 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913171833/http://www.irishmilitaryinsignia.com/flash/images/flash_index.html |archive-date=13 September 2007 |date=29 September 2007}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category| Irish Army}}
* {{oweb|http://www.military.ie/army/}} – the Irish Army

{{Irish Defence Forces}}
{{Irish Army & Army Reserve}}
{{Armies in Europe}}

[[Category:Irish Army| ]]
[[Category:Armies by country|Ireland]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1924]]
[[Category:1924 establishments in Ireland]]