Ireland's Military Story

Category: Óglaigh na hÉireann

  • OnThisDay 1924 Óglaigh na hÉireann/Irish Defence Forces Formally Established

    OnThisDay 1924 Óglaigh na hÉireann/Irish Defence Forces Formally Established

    OnThisDay 1924 – Óglaigh na hÉireann/Irish Defence Forces Formally Established

    Defence Forces Crest

    The Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923, provided that the Irish Free State Executive Council to raise and maintain an armed force to be called Óglaigh na hÉireann. The Council also had to set a date for the formal establishment of the Defence Forces. The date fixed was 1 October 1924.

    On 11 October a recruiting article appeared in the Connaught Telegraph.

    “Óglaigh na hÉireann have made the Free State possible and maintained its authority in a period of peril which is all too fresh in our minds.’ It is no small boast to have been a member of forces which will hand such a heritage to posterity, The Defence Forces of Saorstát Éireann will be second to none when their organisation and training are completed, and now that we have complete responsibility for our forces, there is no reason why the undoubtedly excellent soldier-making material in our own country should not be available. Military service makes a traditional and irresistible appeal to all healthy young Irishmen.”

  • Former Soldier Posthumously Awarded Gold Medal for Bravery

    Former Soldier Posthumously Awarded Gold Medal for Bravery

    Former Soldier Posthumously Awarded Gold Medal for Bravery

    The Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, presented 26 National Bravery Awards yesterday to individuals from across Ireland who risked their own lives to aid others in peril.

    The ceremony at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, brought recipients together to receive twenty six certificates, six Bronze Medals and thirteen Silver Medals. Brownstown, Curragh, Co. Kildare native and former member of the Irish Defence Forces, James Nicholl, received a posthumous Gold medal award for Bravery when he selflessly tried to save a man drowning in the River Liffey in April.

    James ‘Jimmy’ Nicholl (RIP.ie)

    His Citation reads:

    The attempted rescue of a man from the River Liffey, Dublin

    On Saturday the 8th of April 2023, at approximately 1.30am, Gardaí responded to a call of two men in the River Liffey near Grattan Bridge. On arriving at the scene, Gardaí momentarily observed a man in the river between Grattan Bridge and Millennium Bridge, before he disappeared under the water.

    It has since been established that one young man jumped from Grattan Bridge into the Liffey around 1.20am. A close friend of his called for help and James Nicholl, stepped forward saying he would try to save the young man. The man calling for help told James not to go in if he couldn’t swim, but although Mr Nicholl did not know the young man in the water he insisted he would help. According to the man who was calling for help, James said ‘I am ex-army, I will get him’ and jumped into the dark Liffey waters to try and save the young man in distress.

    Several lifebuoys were thrown into the water by people on the edge of the river and both An Garda Síochána and Dublin Fire Brigade searched from the quayside for some time but neither man could be located. Shortly after 6am, the body of James Nicholl was recovered from the water beside Millennium Bridge by the Garda Water Unit. The search continued and sometime later the body of the young man he had attempted to save was recovered from the water beside the Ha’Penny Bridge.

    For his brave and selfless actions, James Nicholl is posthumously awarded a Gold Medal and a Certificate of Bravery.

    Citation ends.

    Speaking at the ceremony, the Ceann Comhairle said:

    “Today the Irish State recognises and celebrates the noblest impulse in a human being, the impulse to risk our lives in order to save someone else’s. But just as importantly, what these awards also do is mark the importance of the lives that were saved and also those that were lost.

    I say this because in several instances, we are making awards where, in spite of brave actions and valiant efforts, lives were tragically lost. Those involved in these attempts know how hard they struggled, the families of those lost appreciate their efforts as do we, the Irish nation.”

    The annual honours are awarded by Comhairle na Míre Gaile – the Deeds of Bravery Council – which was founded 76 years ago in 1947 to enable State recognition of exceptional Acts of Bravery. The Council is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle and includes the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, the Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cork, the Garda Commissioner, the President of the Association of City & County Councils, and the Chairman of the Irish Red Cross.

    James Nicholl was the sole recipient of the highest award, the Gold Medal for Bravery. His parents Noreen and Jimmy accepted the award on behalf of their son.

    Jimmy was homeless and suffered from drug addiction. He tells his story on Kold Turkey.

    If you are or know of a veteran in need, support is available.

    The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel

    Smithfield Market,

    North King Street,

    Dublin 7,

    D07 HD72

    Phone: +353-1-485-0666

    Email: info@oneconnect.ie

    Web: www.one-veterans.org

    Irish United Nations Veterans Association

    Arbor House,

    Temple Hill Road,

    Arbor Hill,

    Na Cloch Road,

    Dublin 7

    Email: info@ iunva.ie or iunvahqd7@gmail.com

    Phone: +353(0)1-6791262 or +353(0)85-1416459

  • Company Sergeant Liam White (Rtd) – McKee Barracks Coy – UNFICYP – UNEF II

    Company Sergeant Liam White (Rtd) – McKee Barracks Coy – UNFICYP – UNEF II

    Company Sergeant Liam White (Rtd) McKee Barracks Coy

    UNFICYP – UNEF II

    Veterans are a key to any military story; they are the people who served, they are the people who were there. Recording their story helps preserve our past and can give us lessons for the future. There isn’t a community in Ireland where you will not meet an ex-service man or women. For our Kildare Veterans and In the Service of Peace project, we met up with retired Company Sergeant Liam White, who has lived in North Kildare with his family since 1986. Many people in Celbridge may remember Liam and his wife Patricia from when they ran the Order of Malta unit in Celbridge in the 1990s.

    Liam, who is originally from Dún Laoghaire, first joined the Irish Defence Forces/ Óglaigh na hÉireann in 1964 when he enlisted with B Company, 21st Infantry Battalion FCÁ. He has fond memories of marching in the annual 1916 commemorations during those early years. In 1967 Liam joined the Permanent Defence Force and was sent down to the Curragh Camp for recruit training. After passing out Liam was posted to McKee Barracks Company; the support unit for Defence Forces Headquarters. At this time the Army was only 7,500 strong. It was not long before Liam found himself on an NCO course and on 26 December 1968, he was promoted Corporal. With the outbreak of the Troubles the Defence Forces were put on high alert. Reservists were called up, and centres established to take in potential people fleeing the hostilities. When the border was established, Liam recalled periods when soldiers were meeting themselves coming off duties and patrols. The army had to expand due to the Troubles and initially there was no relief. Patrols, road blocks, and watching or hearing shootings along the border between Republicans and British Forces became the norm. On one occasion Liam collapsed after not sleeping for four days straight. One of the pictures Liam kept shows him having Christmas dinner while on the border.

    In 1970 Liam was then assigned as a Cadre Training NCO with the 21st Infantry Battalion FCÁ which took him all over the battalion area of South Dublin and North Wicklow. His first deployment overseas was with the 20th Infantry Group, United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) in April 1971. During this period tensions were high between the two communities on the island; the mission brought new challenges for the young Corporal. Promoted Sergeant, Liam deployed overseas again in April 1974 with the 26th Infantry Group, United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF II) in the Sinai. Not a blade of grass could be found in the blistering hot desert. The Irish men found themselves once again in between two heavily armed factions and vast areas of unexploded ordnance and mines. The unit were only settling in when the Dublin and Monaghan bombings took place at home and the unit was rapidly brought home by the end of May 1974.

    Liam served in various appointments in Defence Forces Headquarters including with An Cosantóir – the Defence Forces magazine and the Chief of Staff’s Branch. Liam retired from the Defence Forces in 1989 as a Company Sergeant. Thank you to Liam for telling his story and for his long service at home and overseas.

    This recording is part of our Kildare Veterans series and In the Service of Peace – exploring Ireland’s contribution to world peace: a project in conjunction with The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, The Irish United Nations Veterans Association and The Association of Retired Commissioned Officers. This production was made possible with support by Kildare Library Services, Kildare Creative Ireland and the Community Foundation.

  • Centenary Ceremony Held at Baldonnel Aerodrome

    Centenary Ceremony Held at Baldonnel Aerodrome

    Centenary Ceremony Held at Baldonnel Aerodrome

    Photos courtesy of Defence Froces Press Office

    Earlier today a centenary ceremony to mark the handover from the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1922, was held at the home of the Irish Air Corps, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Dublin. The Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, the General Officer Commanding Air Corps, Brigadier General Rory O’Connor and over 1,000 serving and former members of the Air Corps attended the ceremony.

    The ceremony involved a representative body of Air Corps personnel symbolically marching through the original main gate at 12.00pm. A wreath was laid to commemorate all those who died in service throughout the century followed by the raising of the National Colours and a ceremonial flypast.

    Speaking at the event General Officer Commanding Air Corps, Brigadier General Rory O’Connor remembered those who came before “Irish forces marched in and took over the Camp on 3 May 1922 and since that day, Baldonnel has been the home of the Air Corps. The dedication of Air Corps personnel, the missions completed, and the lives saved, have come about through the people who have walked through these gates and gave their years’ of service, most of which can be counted in decades.”
    He Continued “Looking back to what Baldonnel was like 100yrs ago, I have no doubt that those early members of the Air Corps would be very proud of the organisation that the Air Corps has become, and of all that it has achieved over the course of its first 100 years”.

  • Commissioning of 97th Cadet Class and 11th Potential Officers Class

    Commissioning of 97th Cadet Class and 11th Potential Officers Class

    Commissioning of 97th Cadet Class and 11th Potential Officers Class

    Photos by John O’Byrne

    Earlier today the commissioning of the 97th Cadet Class and 11th Potential Officers Class took place in Collins Barracks, Dublin. The ceremony is a very important and proud day for the members of both classes and represents the successful completion of intensive military training.

    The 97th Cadet Class began their training on 5 October 2020, in the Military College, Defence Forces Training Centre. Over the course of the last 18 months they have completed numerous military, tactical, physical and academic challenges. The class is comprised of cadets from the Army, Air Corps, Ordnance Corps, Corps of Engineers and cadets from the Armed Forces of Malta.

    The 24 Non-Commissioned Officer students of the 11th Potential Officers Course (POC) commenced training on the 26 April 2021, in the Military College. These students followed in the footsteps of only just over 200 NCOs who have completed a Potential Officers Course, commissioning from the ranks, as Officers of Óglaigh na hÉireann In total, the students of the 11th POC have a combined service of 409 years, with individual service ranging from 9 to 24 years respectively, and a total of 79 missions overseas in the service of the State, in countries such as Kosovo, Bosnia, Chad, Mali, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, and many more. Student individual specialisations include special forces operator, sniper, reconnaissance commander, armoured reconnaissance, logistician, administration, aircraft maintenance, human performance, electronic warfare specialists and many more skillsets from the broad spectrum of military operations.

    The commissioning ceremony consisted of the Oath of Commissioning being read out by a Commissioned Officer and repeated by all Officer-Cadets. Each Officer-Cadet then marched forward in line. The Officer-Cadet then had their rank markings uncovered by an Investing Officer of The Irish Defence Forces. The Officer-Cadet then marched forward and congratulated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D. on behalf of An tUachtarán, Michael D. Higgins. The newly-Commissioned Officer then marched over to the Sergeant Major of the Cadet School, Regimental Sergeant Major Stephen O’Neill, for his/her first salute.

    The Lieutenant General William Callaghan Sword is awarded to the best Potential Officer in tactical exercises and
    practical leadership. It was presented by Lt. Gen. William Callaghan (RIP),
    former Force Commander, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. It
    consists of a sword mounted on a mahogany backing, on which a brass
    plate has the following inscription:

    Awarded annually to the soldier who obtained 1st place in Tactical Training and Practical Leadership Ability.

    This year’s winners included Cadet Ryan Bradley and Captain Bryan Collins.

    A first for a Defence Forces was the commissioning of a husband and wife team: Lieutenant Valerie Cole and Captain Philip Cole were students together on the 11th Potential Officers Course.

    There to congratulate the newly commissioned cadets was the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy,

  • ONE Launches Veterans Leadership Initiative

    ONE Launches Veterans Leadership Initiative

    ONE Launches Veterans’ Leadership Initiative

    There are approximately 150,000 former members of the Irish Defence Forces, permanent and reserve. The majority still live in Ireland, an unknown number live abroad. Ex-service personnel go on to live very fulfilling lives and take on challenging new careers. A new initiative by the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) sets out to explore and promote the leadership and resilience skills of former Defence Forces personnel in Irish society. On 6 April 2022, ONE will host its first ‘I Am A Veteran’ Seminar on Resilience and Leadership.

    There are a wide profile of Defence Forces veterans across ages, branches, time served, and backgrounds. As part of the “I Am A Veteran” Campaign, ONE are seeking to reconnect with many former comrades to attract them into the organisation and to bring about a new way of engaging with the veterans’ community. The Seminar series initially aims to attract veterans with a career or business interest and to establish a new veteran business network.; a network of this type would bring value to the community and give a new way of engaging with ONE.

    By establishing the business network, ONE seeks to identify veterans who could also serve as career mentors to some younger veterans (18-35) who have left service without much in the way of career support and guidance. The hope and aim is that if a veteran requests support, ONE will be in a position to connect them with a panel of mentors to source advice and guidance. 

    Topic 1 – Walking the Walk – Reflections on Leadership

    Moderated by Declan Power, Adjunct Lecturer at the NATO School and author of the film adapted book, Siege of Jadotville, Cathal Berry TD, a former officer/operator in the Army Ranger Wing, Eoin Rochford, Private Wealth Advisor at Goldman Sachs and Anita Hogan Organisational Psychologist, and Series Psychologist on RTÉ’s Ultimate Hellweekgive an account of what lessons in leadership they have taken from their Defence Forces experience and how it shapes their views of leadership as senior leaders within politics and business today.

    Topic 2 – Carrying on Regardless – Instilling resilience in professional life

    Led by moderator Wesley Bourke, a former journalist with An Cosantóir Magazine now the Creative Director and co-founder of The Irish Military Heritage Foundation CLG, Ray Goggins, Director at Coreskill Training & Chief Instructor of RTE’s Hell Week, Sinead Wearen, now a Behavioural Therapist with the Health Service Executive and James McCann, MD of ClearStory International, discuss the importance of resilience in their everyday professional lives and how their experiences in the Defence Forces instilled the ‘right stuff’ to carry on regardless of when it mattered.

    Topic 3 – The Art of Team Building – Insights of how to build a winning team 

    Moderated by Phillip Quinlan, Senior Manager, Technology at Ernst & Young, Jim Gavin, Director of People and operations, Irish Aviation Authority, Aviation Regulator, and former Dublin GAA Manager, Amy O’Connor, MD of AOC Consulting and John O’Brien, Operations Director with Manguard Plus outline their experiences in team building and what aspects are needed, from the individual to mindset, to building a winning and maintain a winning team.

    Topic 4 – Does the Defence Forces create entrepreneurs? 

    Moderated by Deirdre Carbery, Board Member of ONE and Rapid Response Manager at Google, Gabriel D’Arcy, Chairperson, EnergyCloud, Morgan Mangan, Partner at AMROP and Shane Henry, CEO of Reconnaissance Group discuss business building and the key lessons they took following their experience in the Defence Forces on their own entrepreneurial journey. 

    Please register your interest to attend here:

    https://clearstoryinternational.formstack.com/forms/i_am_a_veteran_seminar_sign_up

  • 3rd Infantry Battalion Commemorates Handover

    3rd Infantry Battalion Commemorates Handover

    3rd Infantry Battalion Commemorates Centenary Handover of Kilkenny Barracks

    Photos by John O’Byrne

     100 years ago on 7 February 1922, an enthusiastic crowd watched Commandant G. O’Dwyer lead a detachment of Irish Republican Army, accompanied by a band, from St. James’s Park to the military barracks in Kilkenny. The remaining Royal Artillery unit had left the barracks quietly the previous morning. The barracks is today home to the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Irish Defence Forces, and is named after James Stephens. On Sunday a company of 3rd Infantry Battalion, accompanied by the Band of No. 1 Brigade, marched from Kilkenny Castle to James Stephens Barracks in the footsteps of those 100 years ago.  

    As part of the centenary, Officer Commanding 3rd Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Declan Crummey invited members of the public to an open day in the barracks yesterday, which included live music from St. Patrick’s Brass Band (whose members played for the handover ceremony a century ago), a weapons and vehicles display, and military heritage stalls which included the Lord Edward’s Own Living history group. The Lord Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr Andrew McGuinness and Cathaoirleach Cllr Fidelis Doherty were also in attendance in honour of Mayor Peter De Loughry, who delivered the oration a century ago.

    The Irish Independent on 7 February 1922, reported that: ‘Three special trains from Kilkenny brought the 11th and 146th Batteries of R.F.A. [Royal Field Artillery], which left the North Wall for Catterick and numbered 216 officers and men. They took 6 18-pounder guns and 0 4.5 howitzers with them.

    During the same week in 1922, Royal Irish Constabulary continued their withdrawal around the county along with British military units. These included: The Cheshire Regiment vacated its Headquarters at Wicklow Jail, the Dublin Fusiliers from Naas, the 1s Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers from Carlow, the 2nd Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps vacated Clones Workhouse, while in Waterford the 1st Devon Regiment, stationed at Waterford military barracks, boarded the SS Great Southern for Devonport. The 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders, stationed at Belmont Huts, Cobh, Co. Cork, left for Aldershot. Their quarters were temporarily occupied by thy North Stafford Regiment from Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, while Royal Air Force detachments also left Baldonnel.

  • Ulster Tower Centenary Commemorated in France

    Ulster Tower Centenary Commemorated in France

    Ulster Tower Centenary Commemorated in France

    Photos by John O’Byrne

    Updated 13:07, 24 November 2021

    The centenary of the Ulster Memorial Tower was commemorated this morning in Northern France.

    Inaugurated on 19 November 1921, the Ulster Tower at Thiepval on the Somme commemorates the sacrifice of soldiers from Ulster and across the island of Ireland during the First World War. The Ulster Tower stands on the ground attacked at great cost by the 36th (Ulster) Division on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916.

    The combined musicians of the Bugles Pipes and Drums, Regimental Band of the Royal Irish Regiment and the Irish Defence Forces 2nd Brigade Band, march on the standards provided by members of the Royal British Legion.

    This morning’s commemoration was attended by dignitaries including First Minister of Northern Ireland Paul Givan MLA, Ireland’s Minister of State Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for EU Affairs Thomas Byrne TD, British Ambassador to France Her Excellency Menna Rawlings and Counsellor at the Irish Embassy in Paris Owen Feeney. The service was led by Rt. Rev. Dr. David Bruce, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; Rev. Dr. Sahr Yamhasu, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland; and The Most Revd. Francis John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh.

    The ceremony was supported by the Bugles, Pipes and Drums and the Regimental Band of the British Army’s Royal Irish Regiment and by the 2nd Brigade Band of the Irish Defence Forces. The military musicians were accompanied by mezzo-soprano and alto Emma Brown who sung You’ll Never Walk Alone.

    Following the ceremony First Minister Mr. Givan said: “It’s an honour for me to be here today on this historic occasion to mark 100 years of the Ulster Tower which memorialises the sacrifice that was made by the men of the 36th Ulster Division and remembers those who served from right across Ireland in the First World War.”

    “The connections with the Ulster Division and the Irish Division is something that we always need to remember, where people stood side by side irrespective of their religion or indeed their identity, whether they were British or Irish, they shed blood together here in the trenches and stood in common cause for the freedoms that we enjoy today.”

    Reiterating the importance of today’s commemoration Minister Thomas Byrne stated: “It is an honour to be here at the Ulster Tower. It is essential that we commemorate all those who died in battle during World War One, knowing that the soldiers that are commemorated here are from all nine counties of Ulster and many are from across the island of Ireland North and South fought in World War One and died in World War One. It is critical that we continue to honour their memories and to work always for peace and reconciliation both at home and indeed across the globe.

    Today’s event was organised by the Somme Association, based in Newtownards, County Down, who are responsible for the maintenance of the Ulster Tower.

    As the combined Royal Irish Regiment and Defence Forces bands marched from the Ulster Memorial Tower at the end of the centenary commemoration last week to the tune of On Raglan Road, it was a moment to reflect on the importance on the occasion. The Ulster Memorial Tower stands tribute to those from the province of Ulster, in particular to members of the 36th Ulster Division, who fought during the Great War and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Today it is sacred ground.

    Ulster Tower Centenary Album

    Ulster Tower Memorial Centenary 19 November 2021 Thiepval , France, Photos by John O’Byrne
  • Sergeant Matty Gardiner

    Sergeant Matty Gardiner

    Sergeant Matty Gardiner, 12th Infantry Battalion, Irish Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann

    Born in 1943, Matty is a retired Sergeant from the 12th Infantry Battalion, Irish Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann in Limerick. He comes from a large military family whose service dates back to their grandfather, George, who served and died with the Royal Munster Fusiliers in World War 1. His father, Peter, served in the fledgling Irish National Army and Defence Forces. At one time eleven members of his family were serving in the 12th Infantry Battalion at the same time. Matt too has a distinguished service at home and on United Nations service. Matty completed several Untied Nations tours of duty: 38th Infantry Battalion, ONUC (Opération des Nations Unies au Congo in the Congo) (1962-63), the 40th Infantry Battalion, UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) (1964), and with the 24th Infantry Group, UNFICYP (1973). Thank you to the Patrick Sarsfield Branch, Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel Ireland for their support in this production.

    • George Gardiner Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • Peter Gardiner, Irish National Army
    • Mathew Gardiner United Nations Peacekeeper
  • Veterans’ Support Recommences

    Veterans’ Support Recommences

    Veterans’ Support Recommences

    Photos by John O’Byrne

    As Covid restrictions ease, veterans support has recommenced in person. Coinciding with the anniversary of the Defence Forces on 1 October, The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE Ireland) invited veterans back to the much-loved coffee mornings in barracks and support centres throughout the country. The coffee mornings gives veterans a chance to meet, catch up and chat. They a very important part of support given by O.N.E. and the Defence Forces to veterans. We were delighted to attend the gathering in The Michael Collins Club, Cathal Brugha Barracks, where veterans honoured an old comrade.

    Former 2nd Infantry Battalion Sergeant & Olympic Gold Medallist, Michael Carruth, was conferred as an Honorary Member of the Cathal Brugha Branch O.N.E. Also in attendance was Private Seán Mari from 7th Infantry Battalion & the Monkstown Boxing Club. Seán represented Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces at the 58th CISM World Military Boxing Championship last week, reaching the quarter-finals and coming home with a Bronze Medal.

    Presentations of donations for this year’s Fuchsia Appeal were made by the 2nd Infantry Battalion Association and veterans now working in ESB Networks.

    Congratulations to all involved and please remember to support this year’s Fuchsia Appeal.