Defence Forces Veterans’ Day 2019 The annual Irish Defence Forces Veterans’ Day took place today in Collins Barracks, Dublin. The event was attended by the Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe TD, and the General Staff. Veterans of the Irish Defence Forces attended from the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women (ONE),
Irish Defence Forces
11 - May , 2019
Defence Forces Veterans’ Day
16 - April , 2019
Reserve Celebrate 90 Years
Photos by Michael Coyne and Wesley Bourke Celebrations took place today in the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, to mark the 90 anniversary of the formation of Reserve Defence Forces. Although reserve elements had been experimented with by the fledgling Irish Defence Forces the first formal reserve component opened up to the general public
17 - June , 2018
Gloster ‘Irish’ Gladiator
Cover image: The three Gladiators of No. 1 Fighter Squadron out from Baldonnel for a photo shoot. No. 24 flown by Lieutenant Kelleher, No. 26 flown by Lieutenant Des Johnston and No. 25 flown by Lieutenant Maloney. Picture taken from a Westland Lysander No. 65 flown by Lieutenant Jimmy O’Brien. (Photo courtesy of Air Corps
28 - February , 2018
The Ivy Patch Gun
The ‘Ivy Patch’ gun, loaded for shipment back to Ireland, under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Paul Carey. A potentially very significant 18-pounder Mark II field gun arrived home in Ireland last year, after having been gone for more than fifty years. This gun was made in Scotland during World War I for the British
19 - February , 2018
On A War Footing – interview with Lt Col Ned Cusack Part 1
On A War Footing The Emergency Years (Part 1) An interview with Lieutenant Colonel Ned Cusack (Retd) First published in Winter 2016 issue. For most of us, the Emergency period in Ireland (1939 – 1946) is an account in the history books with black and white images. Nearly all Ireland’s veterans who served abroad or
23 - January , 2018
Keeping Ireland’s Aviation History Alive – The Ulster Aviation Collection
Published: Winter 2017 edition Keeping in line with our Royal Air Force theme we decided to pay a visit to the largest collection of aircraft on the island of Ireland – the Ulster Aviation Collection. Housed within an ex-Second World War hangar at Maze Long Kesh, outside Lisburn, Co. Antrim, this collection of 36 aircraft,
24 - November , 2017
Ireland’s Emergency Fortress – Fort Shannon
Ireland’s Emergency Fortress Fort Shannon, County Kerry By Pat Dargan Photos by author and Ken Mooney Published in Autumn 2017 edition During the Second World War a vast range of forts and military defence installations were constructed across the European war zone. These included, for example, the German Atlantic Wall that stretched from Spain to
25 - August , 2017
The Guns of Spike Island
The Guns of Spike Island By Wesley Bourke Photos by Ken Mooney Published in Summer 2017 edition In the last 1,300 years Spike Island, in Cork Harbour, has been host to a 6th century Monastery and a 24-acre fortress that became the largest convict depot in the world during Victorian times. The island’s rich history
27 - January , 2017
In Defence of Peace – The Siege of Jadotville
In Defence of Peace The Siege of Jadotville By James Durney Published in Winter 2016 edition The United Nations Operation in the Congo (Opération des Nations Unies au Congo, or ONUC), was established in July 1960. Ireland was one of the first countries to contribute peacekeepers to the mission. In June 1961, the Irish Defence