Reserve Defence Forces (Ireland)

@MrFlynnMeath @gergilroy @ColmBoohig @offtheball Timing is everything - good to hear you’re all safe and in good spirits. No shortage of resilience as would be expected from a serving member of the @dfreserve . Hope to see you home soon🤞🏼

From Dubai, I joined @gergilroy and @ColmBoohig on @offtheball, having travelled to referee the Middle East Hurling League finals. What began as a positive sporting occasion was overshadowed by escalating regional tensions and missile interceptions across the UAE. I am grateful for the excellent support provided by @dfatirl, the @GAAmiddleEast board, and UAE authorities during this unexpected situation. My thanks extend to family, friends, and colleagues at home for their concern and messages of support. May God bless all those impacted by the ongoing conflict in the region. Listen to the full interview: youtu.be/pOnevCbd-CU?is… #GAA #Dubai #OffTheBall

As a serving member of E Company, 27th Infantry Battalion in Navan, I strongly encourage residents of Meath and surrounding areas to consider joining the Army Reserve. Develop leadership, fitness, and specialist skills through flexible part-time service while contributing to Ireland’s defence. ✍🏻 Apply today: rezoomo.com/job/93213/?Mea… #ArmyReserve #JoinECompany #Navan #DefenceForces @dfreserve

Today, the Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, presented Distinguished Service Medals (DSMs) to members of Óglaigh na hÉireann at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Barracks (Mellows Barracks), Co. Galway. The medals were awarded to Private Dylan Geraghty (with Honours), Corporal Daniel Padden (with Distinction), Private Ciara Shanahan (with Merit) and Father Paul Murphy (with Merit), in recognition of their courageous actions during and after the incident at Renmore Barracks on 15 August 2024. Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy said: “The awarding of Distinguished Service Medals to these four members of Óglaigh na hÉireann is a fitting and well deserved recognition of their courage, professionalism and moral resolve in the face of a violent attack on Father Paul Murphy. Their actions exemplify the very highest standards of Óglaigh na hÉireann. In a moment of extreme danger, they acted decisively, selflessly and with complete regard for the protection of life. This outcome is a direct reflection of the rigorous training, discipline and values instilled in our personnel throughout their careers. I am immensely proud of these soldiers. Their conduct brings great pride to their unit, An Chéad Chathlán Coisithe (The 1st Infantry Battalion), and to the Defence Forces as a whole, and it reinforces the trust placed in us by the people we serve”. #ÓglaighnahÉireann #DefenceForces #DistinguishedServiceMedal

1/ RDFRA has recently received some difficult news about our member and comrade Mariusz Oplawski of the Naval Service Reserve. Mariusz was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in December of last year, and is currently undergoing specialist treatment in Poland.

The DF will run it's "Annual Bands of the DF in Concert" event on Fri 20 Feb 26 in Cork's City Hall. This fundraiser provides support to former members of the DF who have fallen on hard times. Tickets on sale in Merchant's Quay Shopping Centre, Cork from 14 Feb. Please Support!

A member of the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) has become the first Reservist to receive an Overseas Service Medal following deployment to Cyprus as part of the Irish contingent on the European Union Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine. While in Cyprus, the RDF Officer supported the 4th Demining and Clearance Course delivered by the Cypriot Armed Forces, training Ukrainian personnel in conventional munition identification, clearance and disposal alongside Irish, Cypriot and Greek forces. Serving as an interpreter in Russian and Ukrainian, he contributed across classroom instruction and live range activity, supporting the mission’s operational success. This milestone reflects the growing role and professionalism of the Reserve Defence Forces in operations, both at home and overseas and highlights the continued contribution of Óglaigh na hÉireann to international security. #ÓglaighnahÉireann #DefendOurState #IrishDefenceForces

Major General John Whittaker has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) by the Minister of Defence and Government. In this role, Major General Whittaker will be responsible for the fighting efficiency, training, organisation, equipment distribution and operational planning functions of Óglaigh na hÉireann. Major General Whittaker is a professional Infantry and Special Forces officer with over 39 years’ experience in a wide variety of appointments overseas and at home, where he is currently serving as the Director of Training and Education. In this role, Major General Whittaker was responsible for the development of training policy in accordance with current doctrine, the coordination of all training and education across the Defence Forces, and monitoring standards achieved in order to ensure the highest levels of operational capability, efficiency and effectiveness. Major General Whittaker was appointed as the Director of Training and Education in July 2024 and previously has served as the Director of Public Relations, Director of Transport and the Commandant of the Military College, in addition to the Commanding Officer of 6th Infantry Battalion in Custume Barracks, Athlone. Overseas, Major General Whittaker has served as the Deputy Commander of Sector West in UNIFIL, as well as the Senior Irish Officer to the EU Training Mission in Mali and to Kosovo with KFOR. Major General Whittaker's overseas deployments also include 4 deployments to South Lebanon with UNIFIL, an Army Ranger Wing deployment to East Timor with INTERFET and as the Commander of Ireland's first EU Battlegroup, the EU-NORDIC BG. Major General Whittaker is a graduate of the Irish Command and Staff School and holds post graduate qualifications of a Masters of Arts in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies from Maynooth University, a Masters of Science in Human Resource Leadership from Sheffield Hallam University and an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Executive Coaching from Kingstown College. Major General Whittaker is a native of Co. Cork and is married to Catherine and they have two children; Eoin and Cian. They now live now in Connemara, Co. Galway.

Nollaig Shona Daoibh go léir from Óglaigh na hÉireann 🎄

Micheál Martin recently visited the 127th Infantry Battalion in UNP 2-45, who are currently serving with UNIFIL in Southern Lebanon. During the visit, An Taoiseach met with Irish Defence Forces personnel deployed as part of Ireland’s longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations. He acknowledged the professionalism, dedication and commitment of the contingent, operating in a complex and challenging security environment, and reaffirmed the Government’s continued support for Ireland’s role in promoting international peace and security under the UN mandate. #ÓglaighnahÉireann #UNIFIL #Peacekeeping #DefendOurState

A useful insight into @defenceforces RDF Grooms Course conducted in the Equitation Sch. This accredited activity shows the opportunities afforded in niche areas/interests via Reserve service. Further initiatives like this will be pursued as part of Reserve Revitalisation efforts

@IrishAirCorps @MarineNationale The Irish Liaison Officer was a member of the Naval Service’s First Line Reserve, a great example of how reserve personnel can support and enhance Defence Forces activities

Today, over 100 @dfreserve pers from across the @defenceforces gathered for the 2025 Annual Reserve Seminar. Starting with a keynote from @DF_COS, attendees received updates on ongoing Force Transformation with insights by project leads matched by positive audience engagement.

The Army Reserve 28 infantry Battalion are recruiting apply at military.ie Locations Letterkenny, Finner and Sligo

The Inauguration of the 10th President of Ireland, and Supreme Commander of Óglaigh na hÉireann, Uachtaráin Catherine Connolly, took place today in St. Patrick's Hall, State Apartments, Dublin Castle. Óglaigh na hÉireann proudly provided full ceremonial support, with over 250 personnel drawn for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service - including the Army No.1 Band, and composite band from the Defence Forces School of Music, the Captain's Escort of Honour, Tri-Service Guard of Honour, Colour Party, Attending and Flag Officers, Air Corps flypast and Artillery 21 Gun Salute. #ÓglaighnahÉireann #DefendOurState #IrishDefenceForces

An excellent display providing bearing, dignity & timing by @defenceforces personnel on occassion of @PresidentIRL #Inauguration The #professionalism on display comes on the back of many rehearsals & hard-work preparing #uniforms & #equipment Well done to all involved! ☘️🇮🇪☘️

An @Aiken_Barracks 72 hr TAC Ex this week featured significant use of @dfreserve personnel & sub-units demonstrating their value and developing skill sets. Anticipated that further efforts like this will become more routine as the Reserve #Revitalisation effort continues. 👊🏼👏🏼

Veterans’ Day 2025 will take place at McKee Barracks, Dublin, on Sunday, 28 September. The Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Rossa Mulcahy, invites all to join as we honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans. The ceremony begins at 1100hrs. Please be seated by 1045hrs. #DefenceForces #VeteransDay #ÓglaighnahÉireann

1 Bde Army Reserve personnel undergoing Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN ) training today in Fort Davis, Cork. The modern soldier must be prepared to operate in different & challenging environments. @df_recruitment @bemore @dfreserve @DF_DCOS_SP

Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy recently sat down with Captain Tony Smith of the Defence Forces Press Office to introduce himself as the newly appointed Defence Forces Chief of Staff. In this special iteration of the Defence Forces podcast the Chief of Staff discusses his career to date, current issues and provides insights into on going projects within the Defence Forces. Lieutenant General Mulcahy then goes on to discuss his plans and vision for the Defence Forces of the future. youtu.be/GGirXJgWw_c?si… #IrishDefenceForces #DefendOurState

Have a listen as Lt (AR) Norah Murphy of @dfreserve & @ClareCoCo discusses her involvement with the @defenceforces 🇮🇪Women’s Rugby 🏉 team at the Military World Cup in the UK with @ClareFM on.soundcloud.com/AOZYW8wWZrlxCj…