Our Defence Forces and the national flag
Flying the flag with respect and pride is key to the mission of the Defence Forces when overseas, says Commandant Pat O’Connor
From the very beginnings of Ireland’s involvement in the United Nations (UN) in the 1950s, Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Defence Forces, has been an outward-looking organisation. As an instrument of Irish foregin policy, Óglaigh na hÉireann has helped to project the Irish National Flag – and by extension Irish values – in some of the most troubled spots in the world. The involvement of Óglaigh na hÉireann forces in UNmandated Peace Support Operations has been continuous since June 1958 when the first group of Officers went to Lebanon as observers with UNOGIL. From 1960 onwards, following changes to legislation to allow for contingents of Irish troops to serve overseas in larger numbers, Irish personnel served abroad in Peace Support roles with UN mandated missions, beginning with the deployment of over 600 men to the Congo in 1960. Overall, the bulk of the tours of duty have been completed by infantry units in major force missions deployed in the Congo, Cyprus
Irish soldiers deploying overseas initially wore a shamrock insignia on their uniform, instead of the current tricolour with an Ireland logo
and Lebanon and latterly in Kosovo, Liberia, Chad and on the Golan Heights. Other commitments have included headquarters and specialist elements, special forces, logistical units, military police units and military observers. Theatres for such elements have included Afghanistan, Western Sahara, East Timor, Honduras and Sierra Leone.
Irish soldiers deploying overseas initially wore a shamrock insignia on their uniform, instead of the current tricolour with an IRELAND logo. Nevertheless, the Irish tricolour has been the key identifier of these personnel through all of that time, whether flown from the formal flagstaff on the parade square of an operational camp in the desert, or from the hull of an armoured personnel carrier, on the decal of a military transport aircraft or from the mast of a naval vessel conducting humanitarian relief and rescue in the Mediterranean Sea. In the time-honoured tradition of military respect for the flag,
one which is carried out at home and overseas, the flag is ceremonially hoisted and lowered according to the hours of daylight. All personnel in view of the flag come to a halt and stand to attention while this intimate ceremony of respect – often unobserved by any outsider – takes place, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
As well as with the United Nations, the Defence Forces have flown the Irish flag with missions conducted by the European Union, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and NATO. Personnel have also been committed in less visible but no less effective ways on secondment to humanitarian work in places such as Somalia and Rwanda.
This impressive record of overseas service under the Irish flag has been of enormous benefit to the organisation in underpinning professional standards and development.
Óglaigh na hÉireann has amassed a wide range of skills and experience in Peace Support Operations, remaining abreast of developments through constant interaction with other armies on courses, exchanges and on missions overseas. The EU Battlegroups continue to offer Irish personnel the opportunity to serve alongside their European counterparts. The United Nations Training School, established in the Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh in 1993, conducts courses for all missions abroad and for students from other armed forces. At home, training and education to the highest standards has been achieved through innovative partnerships and accreditation from civilian institutions, which has served to better prepare our soldiers, sailors and aircrew for what they are likely to face in hostile environments. Oglaigh na hÉireann continues to serve the Irish people under our flag more than 100 years after the Irish Volunteers – our military forbears who fought for Independence – were first founded, in November 1913. The organisation is increasingly a reflection of the changing Ireland that it serves – providing full opportunities for both women and men and attracting Irish people from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities.
Inspired by the example of the men and women who served before us for almost a century, we continue to uphold our respect for the Irish National Flag and for our own values of loyalty, integrity, respect, physical courage, moral courage and selflessness.