How We Are Organised
The Defence Forces are organised on conventional military lines providing a sufficiently flexible structure to carry out all the roles assigned by Government. The Defence Forces consist of a Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and a Reserve Defence Force (RDF). The former is a standing force and provides the primary capabilities for joint military operations at home and combined military Peace Support Operations abroad. The RDF provides the necessary contingent conventional military capability to augment and assist the PDF, when necessary. The Permanent Defence Force consists of an Army, an Air Corps and a Naval Service.
The Minister for Defence has an office in the Department of Defence (DOD) and Defence Forces (DF) Headquarters building which is located on Station Road in Newbridge. The Defence Forces Chief of Staff liaises with the Minister for Defence on all Defence related matters.
Defence Forces Headquarters
The Defence Forces Chief of Staffs office is located in the DOD/ DF HQ building on Station Road, Newbridge. The Chief of Staff can liaise directly with his Deputy Chiefs of Staff, DCOS Ops and DCOS Sp, who are co-located in the HQ building. The Minister for Defence and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence are also located in the HQ building.
The Army Brigades
1st Brigade
The 1st Brigade is responsible for military operations in the southern region of the country.
Its area of responsibility includes the counties of:
Galway, Offaly, Laois, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary.
HQ of the 1st Brigade (Bde) is located in Collins Barracks, Cork. The other Barracks located in the 1st Brigade area of responsibility (AOR) include:
- Collins Barracks in Cork
- Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick
- Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny
- Kilworth Training Camp in Kilworth
- Dún Uí Mhaoliíosa, Galway
2nd Brigade
The 2nd Brigade is responsible for military operations in the northern region of the country. Its area of responsibility includes the counties of:
Wicklow, Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Doneagal, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo.
HQ of the 2nd Brigade is located in Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines, Dublin. The other Barracks located in the 2nd Brigade area of responsibility (AOR) include:
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McKee Barracks , Dublin 7
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St Bricins Hospital, Dublin
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Gormanstown Camp in Co Meath
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Aiken Barracks, Dundalk
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Custume Barracks, Athlone
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Finner Camp in Ballyshannon
Defence Forces Training Centre
The Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC) is located in The Curragh Camp in Co Kildare. The DFTC consists of a HQ element, The Training Colleges and The Logistics Base Curragh.
The following DF Reserve Units are also located in the DFTC:
- 1 Mechanised Infantry Company
- 1st Armoured Cavalry Squadron
- The Army Ranger Wing (ARW)
Air Corps
The Air Corps is the air component of the Permanent Defence Forces, based at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin. Today, approximately 750 men and women serve in the Air Corps, each making a unique and significant contribution to fulfilling the roles, both primary and secondary as assigned by government. HQ of the Air Corp is located in Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, Dublin 22.
Naval Service
The Naval Service is based on Haulbowline Island. It has an authorised maximum strength of 1,144 personnel and comprises a flotilla of eight ships. The key characteristics of the Naval Service flotilla are those of a rapid reaction, flexible and multi-capable force able to sustain the maximum number of patrol days within the constraints of the resources available. HQ of the Naval Service is located in Haulbowline, Cobh, Co Cork.
