Irish Army

Army
An tArm (Irish)
Cap badge of the Army
ActiveFebruary 1922–present
Country Ireland
TypeArmy
Size6,332 active personnel (Establishment: 7,520) (Apr 2023)[1]
1,382 Reserve (Establishment: 3,869) (Apr 2023)[1]
Part ofDefence Forces
Engagementssee list of wars
WebsiteDefence Forces – Army
Commanders
Chief of the Defence StaffLieutenant General Seán Clancy (AC)
GOC 1st BrigadeBrigadier General Brian Cleary[2]
GOC 2nd BrigadeBrigadier General Tony Cudmore[3]
GOC DFTCBrigadier General David Dignam[4]
Deputy Chief of the Defence StaffMajor General Anthony McKenna
Insignia
Flag

The Irish Army (Irish: an tArm) is the land component of the Defence Forces of Ireland.[5] The Irish Army has an active establishment of 7,520, and a reserve establishment of 3,869. Like other components of the Defence Forces, the Irish Army has struggled to maintain strength and as of April 2023 has only 6,322 active personnel, and 1,382 reserve personnel.[1] The Irish Army is organised into two brigades.[6][7]

As well as maintaining its primary roles of defending the State and internal security within the State, since 1958 the Army has had a continuous presence in peacekeeping missions around the world. The Army also participates in the European Union Battlegroups. The Air Corps and Naval Service support the Army in carrying out its roles.

  1. ^ a b c "Defence Forces Strength (Dáil Éireann Debate – Tuesday, 13 June 2023)". Dáil Éireann Hansard. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023. The established strength and current strength of the Defence Forces as at 30 April 2023 is [..] Army 7,520 .. 6,322 [..] Air Corps 886 .. 711 [..] Naval Service 1,094 .. 764 [..] Army Reserve 3,869 .. 1,382 [..] Naval Service Reserve 200 .. 77 [..] First Line Reserve N/A .. 275
  2. ^ "General Staff > Brigade Commanders > GOC 1 Brigade". Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  3. ^ "General Staff > Brigade Commanders > GOC 2 Brigade". Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  4. ^ "General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC)". Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  5. ^ The Defence Forces are made up of the Permanent Defence Forces – the standing branches – and the Reserve Defence Forces. The Army is part of the PDF.
  6. ^ Irish Defence Forces Press Office. "Irish Army – Organisation and brigade structure". Official Defence Forces Website. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  7. ^ Irish Defence Forces Press Office (30 November 2012). "Ceremonial Stand Down Parade of the 4th Western Brigade". Official Defence Forces Website. Retrieved 13 December 2012.