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The Military College

The Military College is responsible for the provision of training and doctrine to the Leadership, management and combat units of the Defence Forces. Training includes career courses, Infantry support weapons, senior management courses and overseas training.

The Military College

In 1923, the Defence Forces Temporary Provisions Act 1923 provided for the establishment of an Irish Military College, and an Army School of Instruction was founded with a large staff and commanded by a Major General. Originally situated in the Artillery Barracks in Kildare, it was moved to Keane (Pearse) Barracks in 1924. In 1926, the Irish Military Mission was sent to the United States to study the profession of arms at American military establishments. The Irish Military College as we know it was formally founded in 1930, that year seeing the commissioning of the first class of cadets.

Today, the Military College is responsible for the provision of training and doctrine to the Leadership, management and combat units of the Defence Forces. Training includes career courses, Infantry support weapons, senior management courses and overseas training.

There are four constituent Schools within the Military College

  • The Command and Staff School
  • The Infantry School
  • The Cadet School
  • The United Nations Training School Ireland

Other Training Schools within the Military College

  • The Artillery School
  • The Cavalry School
  • The Military Administration School
  • The Defence Forces Physical Education School

Command and Staff School

The Command and Staff School is the Senior School of the Irish Defence Forces. It supports the professional development of all Senior Officers of the Defence Forces

The Cadet School

The Cadet School is the training institution with responsibility for the training and education of officer cadets for the Defence Forces

Infantry School

The Infantry School provides career, specialist training in infantry weapons and staff courses to both Officers and Non Commissioned Officers

Artillery School

The Artillery School conducts career and technical courses in Field Artillery and Air Defence, supervises all artillery live firing practices within the State

Cavalry School

The Cavalry School is the dedicated training institution of the Cavalry Corps and specialises in the command, control, training, operation and tactical deployment of armour in support of the infantry brigade

UN Training School Ireland

Since its establishment the United Nations Training School Ireland (UNTSI) has been the focal point of the Defence Forces effort to standardise preparation for Peace Support Operations.

Military Administration School

Military Administration as it applies to the Defence Forces can be described as the organisation, management and execution of all military affairs not included in strategy and tactics.

DF Physical Education School

The DFPES is the only centre for physical education in the DF and provides a myriad of courses from the Physical Training Instructors (PTI) Course to life saving courses and water based courses.

Defence Studies Programme

The Defence Forces position is unique in terms of its learning output with personnel undergoing training and education courses on a continuous basis.