Category Archives: Irish Defence Forces

Revolutionary Remembrance: “Óglaigh na hÉireann”

Posted on January 10, 2013 by

When one hears the words “Óglaigh na hÉireann”, one can be forgiven for immediately thinking of the suppression defined terrorist organizations that have come to be associated with it. Those three words have a torturous history, stretching as far back … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Ireland, Irish Defence Forces, Revolutionary Remembrance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Revolutionary Remembrance: The ARR’s Of The Irish Civil War

Posted on August 22, 2012 by

On the 90th anniversary of the Beal na Mblath shooting, the usual platitudes and speeches were trotted out in an annual festival that has become largely meaningless due to its regularity. I usually pay the FG historical love-in little mind … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Ireland, Irish Defence Forces, Revolutionary Remembrance, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The RAND COIN Scorecard And The Irish War Of Independence

Posted on April 11, 2012 by

The RAND think tank, last year, came up with a “scorecard” method of reviewing counter-insurgency campaigns. The scorecard ranks a COIN campaign in terms of “good” and “bad” practices that take place by the actual COIN force and the insurgents … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Counter Insurgency (COIN), History, Iraq, Ireland, Irish Defence Forces, Politics, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Suicidal Obstinacy”: Max Hastings And Irish Neutrality In The Second World War

Posted on January 24, 2012 by

The title comes from American writer Joe Dees, who so described the policy of Irish neutrality in the Second World War. I’ve been meaning to write something like this for a while, but it was the book this quotation was … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Ireland, Irish Defence Forces, Politics, War | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

What The Irish Defence Forces Did This Year

Posted on December 30, 2011 by

This year: The Irish Defence Forces disabled over 50 viable explosive devices. The Irish Defence Forces carried out nearly 2’000 high security escorts. The Irish Defence Forces continued to provide security at Portlaoise prison. The Irish Defence Forces deployed 3’000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ireland, Irish Defence Forces | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Jadotville

Posted on September 14, 2011 by

We are currently in the middle of the fiftieth anniversary of the Siege of Jadotville. It is very possible, even likely, that you will never have heard of it. In September 1961, as part of the UN peacekeeping effort in … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Ireland, Irish Defence Forces, War | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Irish Peacekeeper

Posted on July 5, 2011 by

The Irish forces that are part of UNIFIL are on station in the southern Lebanon today, continuing their tour of duty. I now recall a story first told to me by a friend of mine a while back, that he … Continue reading →

Posted in Ireland, Irish Defence Forces, War | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Keep The Peace

Posted on June 27, 2011 by

My very best wishes and prayers go with the Irish peacekeepers, those who have arrived and those shortly to go, who will take over the security of 140 square miles of south Lebenon, including the border with Israel. It is no easy … Continue reading →

Posted in Ireland, Irish Defence Forces, Middle East | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Royal Visit: How I Ended Up In A COIN Campaign

Posted on May 17, 2011 by

It was while I was in the middle of a three and a half hour journey home from work, because of Dublin Bus, Luas and Irish Rail alterations due to the Queen’s visit, that I began to get a little … Continue reading →

Posted in Counter Insurgency (COIN), Ireland, Irish Defence Forces, Politics, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Limerick, Defence And Foreign Affairs: Cian Prendiville

Posted on March 12, 2011 by

So, the other day, I received another reply to my e-mail to the Limerick City constituencies…a week after the election. Socialist/ULA candidate Cian Prendiville, the 21 year old. He finished in mid-table, and only now has decided to get back to me. Getting a reply … Continue reading →

Posted in General Election 2011, Ireland, Irish Defence Forces, Limerick, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment