Media Invite - 11am, Friday 31st October 2025.
Ministerial Review of the 127th Infantry Battalion United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) prior to deployment to Lebanon
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Mr Simon Harris T.D., accompanied by the Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, will review the men and women of the 127th Infantry Battalion prior to their departure for a six-month deployment to Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
127th Inf Bn will deploy to the UNIFIL area of operations with personnel from the Irish Defence Forces and the Armed Forces of Malta. 127th Inf Bn will deploy to Lebanon rotating with and replacing the 126th Inf Bn.
127th Inf Bn will then commence operations as part of a multinational battalion, comprising of Irish, Maltese, Polish and Hungarian personnel, collectively referred to as IRISHPOLBATT. IRISHPOLBATT will support UNIFIL’s mandates in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701 (2006) and UNSCR 2749 (2024).
The review will take place in Custume Barracks, Athlone at 11am on Friday 31st October 2025
Outline of the Ceremony
a. 127th Inf Bn on parade – 1040hrs.
c. Blessing of Unit Identification Flag – 1045hrs.
d. Arrival of Tánaiste and Minister for Defence – 1100hrs.
e. National and Regimental Colours on parade – 1102hrs.
f. Review by An Tánaiste & Minister for Defence – 1105hrs.
g. Address by An Tánaiste & Minister for Defence – 1115hrs.
h. March Past – 1145hrs.
i. Parade concludes, reception in Catering Centre – 1150hrs.
There will be excellent photographic opportunities throughout the review. Interviews with personnel and their families will take place after the parade concludes.
Should you wish to attend, please confirm the name of the journalist / photographer that will be attending before 8pm Thursday 30th October to press@military.ie
Date/Time: Friday 31st October 2025 (media should arrive by 10.20am).
Location: Custume Barracks, Athlone
Please arrive to the Main Gate to meet the POC.
Point of Contact: Capt Tony Smith 0873296749 & Sgt Rena Kennedy 0876453946
ENDS
Note to Editor: Attached briefing note on the 127th Infantry Battalion.