Ireland's Military Story

Tag: Irish Defence Forces

  • The QF 12-Pounder

    The QF 12-Pounder

    The QF 12-pounder and the Naval Gun Salute

    Photos by John O’Byrne


    We have been asked about the artillery pieces that took part in gun salute during the 75th anniversary of the Naval Service on 1 September. The guns are a QF 12-pounder 12-cwt. The Irish Defence Forces (Óglaigh na hÉireann) operate two saluting batteries: one on Dún Laoghaire East Pier and one on Spike Island in Cork Harbour.

    Members of the 2nd Brigade Artillery Regiment manning the QF 12-pounder saluting batter on Dún Laoghaire East Pier.

    The photograph by John O’Byrne shows 2nd Brigade Artillery Regiment firing a 21-gun salute to L.É. Samuel Beckett (P61) as she leaves Dún Laoghaire Harbour in honour of 75 years of the Irish Naval Service. The 3-inch QF 12-pounder 12-cwt were originally a naval gun produced by Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick in 1894. They served with several navies around the world on vessels and as part of coastal defence emplacements. The guns looked after by the gunners of the Defence Forces are in pristine condition for 100-year-old guns.

    The photograph by John O’Byrne shows 2nd Brigade Artillery Regiment firing a 21-gun salute to L.É. Samuel Beckett (P61) as she leaves Dún Laoghaire Harbour in honour of 75 years of the Irish Naval Service. The Naval Gun Salute has a long tradition dating back centuries. The salute has evolved from when foreign naval vessels entered a foreign port or passed a foreign naval vessel and needed to demonstrate they were not hostile. Vessels would ‘clear their guns’ with blank charges to indicate they were empty and posed no threat. In return the saluted vessel or shore defence battery would do the same. By the 18th century a 21 round salute had become common with Royal Navy. The figure 21 comes from the ratio of 1:3 by 7. Naval vessels could only fire off one round compared to the 3 rounds a shore battery could. There are several citations for seven. Some state biblical reference while other state astronomical origins. Gun salutes consist of an odd number of rounds; the firing of an even number of rounds in the past was reserved for occasions of mourning. The 21-gun salute is the highest honour.

    A famous incident involving a naval gun salute misunderstood is recorded during the Spanish-American War 1898. On 20 June, the USS Charleston and three transport vessels approached Guam with the intention of capturing the island. Officials and the people of Guam took no notice and went about their business. The Charleston fired 13 rounds at the Spanish fort. Officials on the island believed the U.S. Navy had just rendered honours and prepared to return the salute. Little did they know they the USS Charleston was actually firing on them with live rounds. They had no knowledge the Spanish-American War had started on 21 April; some two months prior. They and Guam were soon guests of the United States.

  • Troopers Mark Cavalry Day

    Troopers Mark Cavalry Day

    Troopers Mark Cavalry Day

    Photos by John O’Byrne

    The Cavalry Corps is one of the oldest Corps in Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces. Each year the troopers come together at the Cavalry Memorial Garden, DFTC, to honour and remember their deceased members and the sacrifices made at home and overseas.

    Cavalry Day is traditionally held on the first Saturday of September.

    Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha

    Carpe Diem


  • Naval Service Marks 75 Years in Ireland’s Capital

    Naval Service Marks 75 Years in Ireland’s Capital

    Naval Service Marks 75 Years in Ireland’s Capital

    Photos by John O’Byrne


    75 years ago today – 1 September 1946 – the Irish Naval Service was formally established as an arm of the Irish Defence Forces (Óglaigh na hÉireann). The Naval Service is the Irish State’s principal seagoing agency with a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. From the early days of the three lonely Flower-class corvettes – L.É. Cliona, Maev and Macha – the Irish Naval Service has evolved to a modern sophisticated national maritime defence and security agency with a responsibility for an area of some 141,000 square nautical miles.
    Over its 75 years’ service, the Naval Service has carried out such duties as arms and drug interdiction, search and rescue, and fishery protection. Naval Service personnel have deployed on overseas missions with their Army and Air Corps counterparts, not to mention its recent deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the European Union humanitarian response to African migration.


    To mark the 75th anniversary today, L.É. Samuel Beckett (P61) – led a ceremony at
    Carlisle Pier in Dún Laoghaire. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney T.D., Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Alison Gilliland, and An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Lettie McCarthy attended the ceremony receiving military honours from a Sub Lieutenants Guard of Honour (55 personnel all ranks) on Carlisle Pier. The L.É. Samuel Beckett then transited to Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin for the remainder of the ceremony. As the ship exited Dún Laoghaire harbour, she was honoured with an Artillery Gun Salute provided by Gunners from 2nd Brigade Artillery Regiment.


    At Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, the P61 received a helicopter flypast by two Irish Air Corps helicopters before receiving salutes from the crews of L.É. George Bernard Shaw (P64), L.É. James Joyce (P62) and L.É. WB Yeats (P63).
    Thank You Irish Naval Service For 75 Years of Outstanding Service

    Thanks to John O’Byrne for the wonderful photos.

  • Veterans Commemorate Second Dáil

    Veterans Commemorate Second Dáil

    Veterans Commemorate Second Dáil

    Photos by John O’Byrne

    Members of the 2nd Infantry Battalion Association paraded at Dublin’s Mansion House today to commemorate the convening of the Second Dáil on 16 August 1921.

    Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Alison Gilliland inspecting the Guard of Honour provided by the veterans of 2nd Infantry Battalion Association


    Taking the salute from the veterans at the Mansion House the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Alison Gilliland, said: “It is an honour to welcome the Second Infantry Battalion veterans Association to the Mansion House today to mark the centenary of the first meeting of the Second Dáil in the Round Room at the Mansion House.”

  • Local Defence Force and Royal Air Force Ex-Serviceman Jimmy Dodd

    Local Defence Force and Royal Air Force Ex-Serviceman Jimmy Dodd

    Local Defence Force and Royal Air Force Ex-Serviceman
    Jimmy Dodd

    Jimmy Dodd proudly holding his Emergency Medal. Photo by Terry Healy.

    It was a privilege to meet and record the story of ex-serviceman, 92-year-old Jimmy Dodd. During the Emergency 1939-1946 Jimmy was living on the Dargle Road in Bray, County Wicklow, working as a messenger boy. He remembers the Emergency well. When he turned 17, he volunteered for Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces and joined the North Wicklow Battalion, Local Defence Force (LDF).

    Jimmy remembers clearly firing the .303” Lee Enfield at Kilpedder rifle range and the cherished overcoat issued at the time. Jimmy’s unit was called out three times during this period. First to relieve the people in Bray after the Dargle burst its banks. People whose houses were flooded were brought to the LDF Headquarters at Rockbrae House. The second incident occurred on 12 August 1946, when a Junkers 52 with 23 passengers – French Girl Guides – and a crew of four crashed near Djouce Mt. in the Wicklow mountains, miraculously with no loss of life. Military units were mobilised to help rescue them. The third took place on the early morning of 4 March 1947, when 13km off Dalkey Island, the Norwegian MV Bolivar – of Fred Olsen and Company – hit the Kish Bank and broke up. Bound for Dublin Port with badly needed grain and other supplies its valuable cargo was sought after by members of the ration weary public. The LDF were called in to patrol the beaches and protect the washed-up cargo.

    Jimmy in his RAF uniform.

    Seeking adventure Jimmy headed to Belfast and enlisted in the Royal Air Force (RAF) for the Duration of the Present Emergency. He was trained as a Vulcaniser and ground crew, working on every aircraft of the period. Jimmy served throughout the UK in several bases. In 1948 Jimmy was deployed to Berlin, Germany, and recounted the devastation of the city following the war. As tensions rose between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies, Berlin was blockaded by the Soviets from 24 June 1948 – 12 May 1949. The only access was by air, and the Allies launched the Berlin Air Lift to relieve the city. In 1951 he was demobbed and went on to become a plasterer, get married and raise eight children. He lives today in Sallynoggin, Dublin.

    Per Ardua Ad Astra

    Recording Jimmy’s story.

    If you know of an ex-servicemen or women from the Emergency period and would like their story recorded, please drop us a line.

    This project is supported by Dublin Port Company Heritage Office.

  • 60th Anniversary of Niemba Ambush

    60th Anniversary of Niemba Ambush

    60th Anniversary of Niemba Ambush

    Today marks the 60th anniversary of the Niemba Ambush; in which nine Irish peacekeepers serving in the Congo were killed.

    Photographs: Defence Forces Press Office

    On 27 July 1960, Ireland deployed the 32nd Infantry Battalion to support peacekeeping operations with the United Nations Operation in the Congo (Opération des Nations Unies au Congo, ONUC). The 33rd Infantry Battalion soon followed boarding U.S. Air Force Globemasters in Casement Aerodrome on 18 August.

    Niemba is a small town in Katanga, a province in south-east Congo. Following secession its local population of Luba, or Baluba people, did not support the secessionists. In October the area was attacked by Katangese gendarmes and European mercenaries who mascaraed many of the local Baluba people. Irish troops were sent to secure and stablise the area. Many of the villages were deserted. A search of the area identified a damaged bridge over the Luweyeye River. On 8 November an eleven man patrol from the 33rd Infantry Battalion ONUC, under Lt Kevin Gleason, was sent to secure the bridge. The patrol was stopped by a road. Dismounting they were approached by some 100 Lubas. Lt Gleason and Sgt Hugh Gaynor attempted to talk to the group peacefully, but were attacked. The patrol was forced to take cover. However, due to sheer numbers the Irish peacekeepers were overrun.

    The fallen peacekeepers:
    Lt Kevin Gleeson (30)
    Sgt Hugh Gaynor (29)
    Cpl Peter Kelly (25)
    Cpl Liam Dougan (34)
    Pte Matthew Farrell (22)
    Tpr Thomas Fennell (18)
    Tpr Anthony Browne MMG (20)
    Pte Michael McGuinn (21)
    Pte Gerard Killeen (27)

    The Defence Forces, along with veterans, paid their respects to the their fallen comrades at a commemoration yesterday at the memorial garden in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines.

    Wreaths were laid by:
    CQMS (Retd) Michael Colton (President Post 1, IUNVA), a member of the 33rd Infantry Battalion and part of the escort party who brought their fallen comrades home to Ireland.

    Brig Gen (Retd) Colm Campbell (Chairman of the Board of Directors, ONE)
    General Officer Commanding 2nd Brigade, Brig Gen Tony Cudmore

    To mark the anniversary the Irish Defence Forces Military Archives have created an online exhibition here.

  • Happy Birthday Irish Defence Forces

    Happy Birthday Irish Defence Forces

    Happy Birthday Irish Defence Forces

    Wishing the Irish Defence Forces a happy 96 birthday. Under the Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923 the Executive Council formally established Óglaigh na hÉireann – the Irish Defence Forces on 1 October 1924. Its predecessor – the National Forces 1922/1924 – had been a pillar in helping form the democratic institutions of the new Irish Free State. Since that time the Irish Defence Forces have remained steadfast to that mantra on land, sea, and air. No matter what the deployment, emergency, or task, the permanent and reserve men and women of the Defence Forces have stood fast to defend the people of Ireland and the democratic institutions of the State at home and overseas.

    Thank you for your service.    

  • Two Kildare Veterans Tell Their Story

    Two Kildare Veterans Tell Their Story

    Two Kildare Veterans Tell Their Story

    Interview with Sergeant Sharon McNamara and Sergeant Major Billy Redmond

    On Friday 7 August we met up with two retired Kildare veterans to record their stories: Sergeant Sharon McNamara and Sergeant Major Billy Redmond.
    Sharon comes from a long line of military service with grandfathers on both sides serving in the early days of Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces. Growing up on the Curragh, joining the Amy was a natural progression. In 1981, a decision was made to recruit women under general enlistment. Along with forty other young ladies, Sharon found herself part of the Defence Forces first all-female recruit platoon. As this was a new chapter in the history of the Defence Forces Sharon had some enlightening stories to tell. At that time women could not serve in combat units. Even guard duties were off the list. This did not take long to change as Sharon explained: ‘in many ways we pioneered the way for those that came after us’. Sharon primarily served in the Administration School and the Curragh Command Headquarters. Retiring after 21 years’ service, Sharon now works for The Kerry Group in Naas.

    Sergeant Sharon McNamara about life in the Defence Forces with the first all female platoon in 1981. (Photograph by John O’Byrne)

    Sergeant Major Redmond is a well-known veteran from Kilcullen, who regularly writes and gives talks on his 45 years’ service in the Defence Forces. Billy joined in the late 1950s and served with the Signal and CIS Corps. Billy spent ten years on missions with the United Nations Peacekeeping, three tours in the Congo, two in Cyprus, and nine in South Lebanon. Billy’s first overseas tour was to the Congo with the 32nd Infantry Battalion and was able to give us insight how signallers operated in those harsh conditions. No smart phones back then, it was old style Morse Code. Impressively Billy can still tap out 22 words a minute.

    Thank you to Jim Brady from ONE Ireland in Kildare for arranging the interviewees and to NC & JO’B Photography Studio & Gallery in Rathangan for the use of their facilities and support. Covid 19 safety precautions were observed during our interviews.

    Sergeant Major Billy Redmond describing the situation in the Congo in the early 1960s. (Photograph by John O’Byrne)

    This project is sponsored by County Kildare Heritage Office and Creative Ireland.

  • The National Day of Commemoration

    The National Day of Commemoration

    The National Day of Commemoration

    Photographs by John O’Byrne

    The annual National Day of Commemoration took place today at 11:00a, today to commemorate all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations. The principal ceremony was held in the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin, with smaller events taken place around the country. The event is held on the Sunday closest to the 11 July, the date on which, in 1921, the Anglo-Irish Truce was agreed.

    Due to Covid 19, restrictions were in place and this years event was much reduced with no members of the public in attendance.

    During the ceremony the Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD invited President Michael D. Higgins to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland. Other invited guests include members of the Government, Council of State, elected Representatives, Diplomatic Corps, and Judiciary.

  • IUNVA Mark Peacekeepers’ Day

    IUNVA Mark Peacekeepers’ Day

    IUNVA Marks International Peacekeepers’ Day

    Photos by John O’Byrne

    The Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) today marked the International Day of UN Peacekeepers at Arbour Hill. The earlier planned annual commemoration to coincide with 29 May (UN Peacekeepers Day) was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. Today’s event was in full compliance with Covid-19 guidelines.

    The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, offers a chance to pay tribute to the uniformed and civilian personnel’s invaluable contribution to the work of the United Nations and to honour more than 3,900 peacekeepers who have lost their lives serving under the UN flag since 1948, including 102 last year.

    The Covid-19 pandemic has brought new challenges, but peacekeepers around the world are continuing their operations to the best of their abilities and supporting the governments and the local populations, despite the risk of Covid-19.

    The theme for this year’s Day is “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace” to help mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

    As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, we must do more to achieve women’s equal representation in all areas of peace and security. Together, let us continue to wage peace, defeat the pandemic and build a better future.

    Secretary-General António Guterres

    At Arbour Hill, United Nations veterans, Defence Forces personnel and members of An Garda Síochána paid tribute to the 96 Irish who lost their lives while on UN service, including civilian personnel, members of the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána.

    Also today those in attendance marked the retirement of Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána Patrick Leahy.

    John O’Byrne was there to capture the event.