Irish Naval Service

Irish Naval Service The Naval Service is the State's Principal Seagoing Agency. The Irish Naval Service (INS) is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.

Defence roles include defending territorial seas, deterring intrusive or aggressive acts, conducting maritime surveillance, maintaining an armed naval presence, ensuring right of passage, protecting marine assets and contributing to a blockade if required. The INS must also be capable of supporting Army operations by sea lift and close naval support. The Naval Base is on Haulbowline Island, Co Cor

k. The INS is currently recruiting for a wide range of positions, please see the following link for the most up to date information on open competitions:

https://www.military.ie/en/careers/current-competitions/

Today as we mark the 80th anniversary of the Irish Naval Service we are going to look back at many of the ships that ser...
01/09/2026

Today as we mark the 80th anniversary of the Irish Naval Service we are going to look back at many of the ships that served the Naval Service and the state.
Click on the comments box for extra info.
Many thanks to Cdr Caoimhín Mac Unfraidh (FLR) for the text.

As the 80th Anniversary of the Irish Naval Service approaches we are going to open the archives and take a look back at ...
31/08/2026

As the 80th Anniversary of the Irish Naval Service approaches we are going to open the archives and take a look back at some historic images of life in the service. Over the coming days we will look back at images of the people that served in the Naval Service, some of our Naval Service and pre-Naval Service ships that served the state. As well as some interesting images of significant events or training that occurred in the Navy over the last 80 years. In general, the focus will be on older images and events that occurred. Many thanks to the Defence Forces archives and the Naval service photographer for access to the images.

Today the photos are all about the people that served.

28/08/2026

This week the Naval Service conducted a Ship Training Period (STP). This was a demanding period of training which involved Gun Exercises (GUNEX), Manoeuvring Exercises, Maritime Interdiction (MIO) and Replenishment at Sea training (RAS).

Yesterday, members of the Naval Service rolled up their sleeves and donated blood to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service...
20/08/2026

Yesterday, members of the Naval Service rolled up their sleeves and donated blood to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. Their contributions will help support hospitals and patients across Ireland who rely on blood donations every day. A great example of the Naval Service giving back to the community and making a real difference. A big thank you to CPO Curtin for organising.

Great to see the crew of LÉ James Joyce working alongside Cahore Inshore Rescue Service during a recent Man Overboard (M...
20/08/2026

Great to see the crew of LÉ James Joyce working alongside Cahore Inshore Rescue Service during a recent Man Overboard (MOB) exercise off the Wexford coast.

Exercises like this provide a valuable opportunity to share experience, strengthen interoperability and build relationships with our local maritime communities. Working together, learning from one another and strengthening the connections between those who operate at sea helps ensure we are better prepared when it matters most.

Local engagement. Shared experience. Stronger together. ⚓️🤝

Yesterday, while conducting routine Maritime Defence and Security Operations in the Irish EEZ, L.E. SAMUEL BECKETT (P61...
19/08/2026

Yesterday, while conducting routine Maritime Defence and Security Operations in the Irish EEZ, L.E. SAMUEL BECKETT (P61) detained a French registered fishing vessel for alleged breaches of EU Fishing Regulations. P61 will continue her patrol after handing the fishing vessel over to authorities ashore.

This week L.E. SAMUEL BECKETT (P61) engaged in PASSEX with the UK's RFA TIDEFORCE. PASSEX evolutions are designed to pra...
13/08/2026

This week L.E. SAMUEL BECKETT (P61) engaged in PASSEX with the UK's RFA TIDEFORCE. PASSEX evolutions are designed to practice and enhance the Navy's interoperability with internatinal partners. This follows TIDEFORCE'S visit to Cork last weekend. The ship's practiced Officer of the Watch (OOW) Manoeuvres and Replenishment at Sea (RAS) Approaches. 🇮🇪 🤝 🇬🇧

12/08/2026

Temporary Closure of Haulbowline Public Park –Tuesday 18th August 2026.

The Public Park on Haulbowline will be closed to the public on Tuesday 18th August from 2.00 p.m. at the request of the Naval Service and will remain closed for the remainder of the day. The park will reopen as normal on Wednesday 19 August.

Cork County Council regrets any inconvenience caused.

Captain (NS) Cathal Power was recently appointed as Officer Commanding Naval Operations Command and Second-in-Command of...
11/08/2026

Captain (NS) Cathal Power was recently appointed as Officer Commanding Naval Operations Command and Second-in-Command of the Naval Service.

A native of Cobh, Captain Power is an Operations Officer with over 32 years’ experience. He comes from a naval family, having had a father, brother and uncle all serve in the Naval Service. He has held multiple seagoing appointments including command of L.É. CIARA & stood by the new build of L.E. GEORGE BERNARD SHAW as OC Designate, prior to promotion to Commander. He has served in a variety of planning, operations, procurement, training and capability development appointments in the NS & DFHQ. He has served overseas in Lebanon from 2016 to 2017 (Sector West HQ, UNIFIL) and in the Operational Headquarters (OHQ Rome) of the CSDP Mission, EUNAVFOR MED - Operation IRINI from 2021 to 2022.

Captain Power’s most recent appointment was SSO Naval Capability Development, laying out the roadmap for future naval capabilities across various time horizons to meet the emerging threats and risks facing the island nation of Ireland, to comply with government policy as specified in the Defence Policy Review (2024) and National Maritime Security Strategy (2026).

He is a qualified specialist navigator with the UK Royal Navy, being the first Irish Navy officer to complete the International Long Navigation Course, HMS Dryad. He holds a Higher Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (UCC) and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management, including Lean Black Belt (UCC). He is a graduate of the Defence Forces’ Command and Staff School in 2015 and holds an MA in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth.

In 2021, the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre – Narcotics, based in Lisbon, awarded him the MAOC(N) medal in recognition of “his dedication and collaboration in tackling international drug trafficking in the Atlantic maritime domain, which led to major seizures by MAOC(N) partner enforcement agencies”.

As OCNOC & 2 I/C NS, he now serves as the Operational Commander of the Irish Naval Service, responsible for planning and delivering all naval operations.

His hobbies include running, sailing and rugby (purely as a spectator!) He is married to Nichola, with whom he has three daughters, Caoimhe, Cliona and Cara.

Address

Haulbowline
Cobh

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Irish Naval Service posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Irish Naval Service:

Shortcuts

Share

Category