The Irish Defence Forces since 1922

Ireland’s freedom to seek examples and equipment worldwide has created an interesting progression of uniforms, illustrated in this study of Ireland’s forces over 80 years.

The Irish Defence Forces were born of the bloody aftermath of the 1921 treaty establishing the Irish Free State, and the Irish National Army's first engagement was to fight other Irishmen, some of them former Volunteer colleagues, in a bitter civil war. After this, the Forces were reorganised and developed into a regular, peacetime army.The Irish Defence Forces were born of the bloody aftermath of the 1921 treaty establishing the Irish Free State, and the Irish National Army's first engagement was to fight other Irishmen, some of them former Volunteer colleagues, in a bitter civil war. After this, the Forces were reorganised and developed into a regular, peacetime army. The Forces have been mobilised for the defence of Ireland during World War II, for internal security; and since 1955 Irish soldiers have served on UN operations across the world. In this book, Donal MacCarron, who served in the Irish Army during World War II, surveys the uniform and history of the Irish Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.