Earlier this year, members of the Artillery Corps conducted a 105mm live firing exercise in the Glen of Imaal, Co. Wicklow. The exercise saw Private soldiers qualify as Gunners within the Corps, while personnel also qualified as Fire Support Team (FST) Commanders, strengthening the Defence Forces’ ability to deliver and coordinate effective fire support. #ÓglaighnahÉireann #DefendOurState #IrishDefenceForces

This year, the Defence Forces held the International Sniper Competition Ireland welcoming competitors from across Europe and North America. Participants were tested through demanding long range precision shoots and close quarter engagements, while exchanging lessons learned and advancing tactics, techniques and procedures. The competition strengthens international cooperation and promotes the development of sniper capabilities. #ÓglaighnahÉireann #DefendOurState

Yesterday, the annual An Cosantóir event brought personnel from across Óglaigh na hÉireann together in a strong display of teamwork, resilience and pride in service. The event showcased the fitness, determination and professional standards that define our personnel across the Defence Forces. #ÓglaighnahÉireann #DefendOurState #IrishDefenceForces

Today, Ireland's first Defence Attaché designates met with Minister for Defence Ms. Helen McEntee T.D. at Leinster House prior to their future postings as Ireland's first Defence Attachés. Recommended to the Commission on Defence, the deployment of Defence Attachés is a historical moment for Ireland, with the first diplomatically accredited military personnel posted to Irish Embassy's abroad. Pictured left to right (standing picture): Colonel Fergal MacDonald - Defence Attaché designate to the United Kingdom, Minister for Defence Ms. Helen McEntee T.D., Lt. Col. Raymond Kane - Defence Attaché designate to the United States of America and Colonel Damien McEvoy - Defence Attaché designate to France.

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Last weekend the Silver Swallows, the Irish Air Corps aerobatic display team, flew at two of the Royal Air Force's Lincolnshire stations: RAF Waddington, home of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, and RAF Coningsby, home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Our Flying Training School instructors flew their full PC-9M display for the Waddington families as part of the station's Friends and Families Day 2026, before joining the Red Arrows for a special joint flypast over the station, the first time the Silver Swallows and the Red Arrows have flown together in formation. The team also flew a full display at Coningsby, four years on from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's own visit to Casement Aerodrome for our centenary. The Silver Swallows are a team with history on this side of the Irish Sea. The first four-ship Fouga Magister display flew over Casement Aerodrome in 1982 for the 60th anniversary of the Air Corps, and in 1997 the team won the Lockheed Martin Cannestra Trophy at RIAT for the best flying demonstration by an overseas participant. Today the same instructors who train our future aviators at Casement Aerodrome fly the display, and this weekend they wrote a new line in that history alongside the Reds. The visit continues a relationship that has grown steadily in recent years, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Red Arrows at Casement in 2022, to the Reds opening Bray Air Display with us in 2023, and 101 Squadron's C295 at RAF Lossiemouth in 2024. Our thanks to the Station Commanders and teams at RAF Waddington and RAF Coningsby for the welcome, and to the Red Arrows for the formation.

The Cadets of the 103rd Cadet Class were inducted last week, on Thursday, and began their first day of the seventeen month cadetship. Their families accompanied them to the Cadet's Mess where the School Commandant, Lt Col MacEoin gave an opening address. The new Cadets then said their goodbyes, formed up and were marched away to be attested into Óglaigh na hÉireann. #oglaighnaheireann #irishdefenceforces #defendourstate

Defence Forces personnel recently supported An Garda Síochána during an extensive security operation for the visit of the President of the United States to Ireland. Across Dublin, Shannon and Clare, the Joint Task Force Operation Fianna coordinated the Defence Forces contribution, bringing together specialist capabilities across land, air and maritime domains, including Counter-UAS, Engineer Specialist Search, EOD, Enhanced Force Protection, and Air and Maritime support. In total, approximately 700 personnel from the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service were deployed, reflecting the scale and joint nature of the operation. Close liaison with An Garda Síochána and other State agencies, combined with detailed planning and coordination through the JTF, supported the delivery of this significant and complex security operation. The operation once again demonstrated the professionalism, readiness and flexibility of Defence Forces personnel, and the ability to integrate capabilities from across the organisation in support of the State.

NOTICE OF EXERCISE ​Military Training Exercise - County Longford & County Roscommon ​The Defence Forces wishes to advise members of the public that a military training exercise will take place in the Lanesborough Power Station, Lanesborough and areas of County Longford on Monday, 14th September until Wednesday 16th of September 2026. ​The exercise will be conducted by the 6th Infantry Battalion, will involve military personnel and military vehicles in the area. ​Defence Forces personnel will be present from approximately 07:00am on Monday, 14th until 12:30pm on Wednesday 16th September. ​The exercise has been carefully planned to minimise disruption to local communities. Members of the public may notice increased military activity in the area during this period. Blank ammunition and pyrotechnic training aids may be used as part of the exercise. No live ammunition will be used. ​The Defence Forces thanks the public for their understanding and cooperation while this important training is conducted.

Recently, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy visited LÉ SAMUEL BECKETT during a Maritime Defence and Security Operations patrol off Ireland’s south west coast. Winched aboard from an Air Corps AW139 in challenging sea conditions, the Chief of Staff observed a range of operational activity, including damage control and firefighting drills, celestial navigation, counter UAS procedures, a live firing exercise and the hailing of a Vessel of Interest transiting Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Winching and fast roping are important capabilities for the Defence Forces, enabling the rapid and effective movement of personnel between air, land and maritime environments, particularly where conventional access may be limited. The visit provided an opportunity to see first hand the readiness, professionalism and operational capability of the Air Corps and Naval Service personnel. #ÓglaighnahÉireann

Defence Forces Podcast, Out Now! 2026 International Sniper Competition - Best International Team. youtu.be/z0OvWCe2uCM

This Wednesday on the Defence Forces podcast - 27 Inf Bn Sniper Team - Winners of Best International Team at 2026 US International Sniper Competition.

As part of Operation Fianna, Defence Forces personnel supported an extensive security operation at Druids Glen, providing specialist military support to An Garda Síochána during events associated with Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Operating across land, air and maritime domains, the Joint Task Force synchronised a range of specialist capabilities, including Counter-UAS, Engineer Specialist Search, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Enhanced Force Protection, and Air and Maritime support. Bringing these capabilities together under a joint command structure enabled activity across multiple domains to be coordinated and synchronised towards a common operational objective — supporting the security and integrity of EU Presidency events. #ÓglaighnahÉireann

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The Infantry Skills Competition took place recently in the Glen of Imaal, bringing together teams from across the Defence Forces to test their soldiering skills, teamwork and resilience in a demanding field environment. Following a highly competitive series of events, the 28th Infantry Battalion retained their title. Congratulations to all personnel who took part and to 28 Infantry Battalion on a well deserved victory. #ÓglaighnahÉireann

Out now - 2026 Best Warrior Competition. youtu.be/od3i3Vwa55U?si=N1u4…

This Wednesday, on the Defence Force's Podcast - US Army National Guard Competition 2026