Naval Service Fleet
P23 - LÉ Aisling
LÉ Aisling was built in Ireland to the Naval Service’s Deirdre design but was modified for stability and speed and was also fitted with a bow thruster to improve manoeuvreability.
Her original BOFORS 40mm L60 gun was recently upgraded to a BOFORS 40mm L70 improving the range and accuracy of her main armament.
A notable operation in her history was her part, in conjunction with the LE EMER, in the apprehension of the Marita Anne in 1984, which stopped after warning shots were fired and which was found to be carrying a significant quantity of arms and ammunition. Another notable, though sad, duty conducted by Aisling was her part in the recovery mission following the Air India aircraft bombing in 1985 off the Irish coast. LÉ Aisling coordinated the search and recovered 38 bodies before handing the continuing search over to her sister ships which had by then arrived on-scene.
Although all the ships’ homeport is Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour, LÉ Aisling has a particularly close relationship with the city of Galway.
| Type | Offhore Patrol Vessel |
|---|---|
| Commissioned | 21 May 1980 |
| Complement | 46 (5 Officers and 41 Ratings) |
| Displacement | 1019.5t Standard |
| Dimensions (meters) | 65.2 x 10.5 x 4.4 meters |
| powerplant | 2 x SEMT 4800 hp Pielstick Diesels |
| Maximum Speed | 17 knots |
| Range | 4000 nautical miles at 17 knots |
| Weapons | 1 Bofors 40mm and 2 x Gambo 20mm Cannons, 7.62mm GPMG |
LÉ Aisling was named to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Patrick Pearse and her crest bears the arms of Galway on the upper part. This refers to Rosmuc, Galway, which was a Pearse retreat. The lower part shows 'The fiery Sword' or 'An Claideamh Solais', was the title of The Gaelic League newspaper with which Pearse was associated. It was also the symbol chosen in 1966 to represent the 1916 rising.