Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces

Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces This is the Official Irish Defence Forces page, if you like it share it with your friends.

19/06/2026

Defence Sparx 2026



Defence Sparx is about giving people across the Defence Forces and Department of Defence the space, support and confidence to develop new ideas and turn them into practical solutions.



Delivered with the support of Accenture, participants worked through a structured 12-week innovation programme, developed their concepts, tested their thinking, and delivered final pitches to senior leadership.



The programme shows the value of bringing people together from across the organisation, giving them the tools to think differently, and supporting ideas that can help improve how we work.



Well done to all involved in Defence Sparx 2026, and to Accenture for their support in delivering the programme.



📢 DRONE OPERATORS – KNOW THE RESTRICTIONS📢The Irish Defence Forces remind all Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)/Drone oper...
19/06/2026

📢 DRONE OPERATORS – KNOW THE RESTRICTIONS📢

The Irish Defence Forces remind all Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)/Drone operators that restricted and controlled airspace remains in place around Casement Aerodrome and surrounding areas. Other areas in black, while not the responsibility of the Defence Forces, may also carry restrictions and must be confirmed by UAS/Drone operators prior to launching.

⚠️ BEFORE YOU FLY — CHECK THE RESTRICTIONS--- ⚠️

U23 (Red Zone)
- No UAS/Drone operations are permitted within a 1 Nautical Mile (NM) radius of Casement Aerodrome.

U7 (Red Zone)
- No open category UAS/Drone operations are permitted within a 5km radius of Casement Aerodrome.
- Specific Category UAS/Drone may be permitted with prior permission from the Defence Forces.

U100 (Red Zone)
- No open category UAS/Drone operations are permitted in military airspace, within a 3km radius of Weston Airport.
- Specific Category UAS/Drone may be permitted with prior permission from the Defence Forces and Weston Airport.

U15 (Yellow Zone)
- UAS/Drones may operate up to an altitude of 8 metres above ground level (AGL) without permission, excluding the areas within U7, U23 and U100.
- Specific Category UAS/Drone may be permitted above 8m AGL with prior permission from the Defence Forces.

U98 (Yellow Zone)
* UAS/Drones may operate up to an altitude of 60 metres above ground level (AGL) without permission.
* Specific Category UAS/Drone may be permitted above 60m AGL with prior permission from the Defence Forces.

❗Unauthorised drone activity may present a risk to military and civilian aviation operations.

All drone operators are reminded to:
✔️ Check UAS geozones before operating
✔️ Adhere to all aviation regulations
✔️ Obtain required permissions before flying

The Defence Forces continue to encourage the safe and responsible operation of UAS platforms in accordance with Irish Aviation regulations.

For more information on UAS geozones (UGZs), how to apply to fly in controlled airspace and drone regulations visit: https://www.iaa.ie/general-aviation/drones

Today, at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dublin, six members of the Defence Forces were awarded the Bronze Med...
11/06/2026

Today, at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dublin, six members of the Defence Forces were awarded the Bronze Medal of the Polish Army in recognition of their outstanding contribution to multinational cooperation and their service with the 125th Irish Polish Battalion in UNIFIL.

The medals were presented in acknowledgement of the recipients’ dedication to strengthening cooperation between Irish and Polish personnel serving together in Lebanon.

The Defence Forces values the strong and enduring partnership between Ireland and Poland, both at home and overseas, and congratulates all recipients on this well deserved recognition.

The recipients were as follows:
Lieutenant Colonel Shane Rockett
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Campbell
Commandant William Bastic
Commandant John Griffin
Captain Tony Smith
Sergeant Major Patrick Enfield

10/06/2026

As Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, personnel from No. 3 Operations Wing recently undertook a demanding training exercise to maintain and enhance key operational capabilities.

The exercise included counter drone engagements, with Air Corps helicopter crews successfully engaging multiple remotely controlled aircraft, as well as armed maritime interception training against fast moving vessels at sea.

Training such as this ensures Air Corps crews remain ready to respond to evolving security challenges and provide critical aviation capabilities in support of national security and Ireland’s EU Presidency commitments.

Recently at Defence Forces Headquarters in McKee Barracks, Dublin, the Office of Reserve Affairs hosted “Beyond the work...
09/06/2026

Recently at Defence Forces Headquarters in McKee Barracks, Dublin, the Office of Reserve Affairs hosted “Beyond the workplace: Reserve Defence Forces employer engagement”.

The event brought together employers, employer organisations and Defence Forces personnel to highlight the value that reservists and reserve service bring to the civilian workplace. The programme opened with an address from the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, followed by a security and defence perspective from analyst Declan Power. Lieutenant Laura Curran provided an overview of service in the Reserve Defence Forces, and Ciaran Foley, CEO of Rexel UK and Ireland, shared an employer perspective on the benefits of supporting employees who serve as reservists.

The discussion focused on how reserve service develops leadership, resilience, teamwork and decision making skills that directly benefit employers, while also strengthening national defence capability. Events such as this play an important role in building awareness of the Reserve Defence Forces and strengthening partnerships with employers across Ireland.

As preparations continue for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026, the Defence Forces Ordna...
05/06/2026

As preparations continue for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026, the Defence Forces Ordnance Corps recently conducted Exercise Beag, a complex multi-agency Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (CBRN EOD) exercise.

As the providers of the State’s strategic CBRN EOD capability, Ordnance Corps personnel trained alongside An Garda Síochána and Dublin Airport Police in a challenging operational scenario involving a fictional terrorist cell, an intelligence-led raid on a clandestine laboratory, and response to a complex chemical attack.

The exercise tested specialist CBRN and EOD procedures, command and control arrangements, and inter-agency coordination in a realistic operational environment. It also validated critical national capabilities and strengthened interoperability between the Defence Forces and State security agencies.

As Ireland prepares to host a significant programme of high-level international engagements during its EU Presidency, exercises such as Exercise Beag play an important role in ensuring specialist personnel remain prepared to respond to complex security and public safety incidents.

Enhancing readiness through partnership, professionalism, and preparedness 🤝

UNIFIL UPDATE:All Irish personnel are well and accounted for. Personnel of the 128th Infantry Battalion continue to empl...
04/06/2026

UNIFIL UPDATE:
All Irish personnel are well and accounted for. Personnel of the 128th Infantry Battalion continue to employ force protection measures enabling them to observe and monitor the ongoing conflict in line with UNSCR 1701. Óglaigh na hÉireann remains resolute in its commitment to UNIFIL.

The Defence Forces wishes to extend its sympathies to the family and friends of the peacekeeper who lost his life and our thoughts are with his colleagues who are recovering at this time.

For decades, Irish Peacekeepers have served with courage, professionalism, and compassion in some of the world’s most ch...
29/05/2026

For decades, Irish Peacekeepers have served with courage, professionalism, and compassion in some of the world’s most challenging environments. On International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, we honour the service and sacrifice of all those who have worn the blue beret in pursuit of peace on behalf of Ireland and the United Nations.

28/05/2026

On Tuesday, the 127th Infantry Battalion arrived home to and were met by family and friends after a 6 month deployment in UNIFIL.

Welcome home to all!

On Tuesday, 26 MAY 26, the final chalk of the 127th Infantry Battalion arrived home following a challenging and demandin...
28/05/2026

On Tuesday, 26 MAY 26, the final chalk of the 127th Infantry Battalion arrived home following a challenging and demanding deployment with UNIFIL in South Lebanon.

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Newbridge

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