The Defence Forces are the armed forces of Ireland. They encompass the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, and Reserve Defence Forces.
An Irish Army Cavalry Corps Mowag Piranha Close Reconnaissance Vehicle on UN patrol in Syria
Irish Air Corps AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter
Naval Service vessel LÉ Róisín
Ceremony at Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin
The Irish Army, also known within Ireland simply as the Army, is the land component of the Defence Forces of Ireland. The Irish 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 April 2023 has only 6,322 active personnel, and 1,382 reserve personnel. The Irish Army is organised into two brigades.
Rolls-Royce Armoured Cars pictured during the Civil War
Volunteer Force recruitment poster, 1930s
Irish ONUC troops (36 Bn) man a position over the Elizabeth road tunnel during the Congo Crisis, December 1961 (Image: Defence Forces)
Irish troops serving with UNIFIL in 2013