L.É. Niamh P52

Read some information and characteristics of the LÉ Niamh

LÉ. Niamh P 52

She is an improved version of her sister ship, L.É.RÓISÍN and Naval Service engineers stood by her construction at all stages. She is built to the successful Róisín design that optimises her patrol performance in Irish waters (which are among the roughest in the world), year round. For that reason a greater length overall (78.8m) was chosen, giving her a long sleek appearance.

Ship's Name

There are many references to Niamh in Irish mythology however the best known is Niamh Chinn Oir, the daughter of Ri na nOg. She was in love with Oisin, the son of Fionn Mac Cumhaill. One morning Niamh rode on a white horse to Loch Lein near Kerry where she persuaded Oisin to return to Tir na nOg.

On arriving in Tir na nOg Oisin was greeted by Ri na nOg and was told that he would enjoy everlasting life and perpetual youth. Niamh and Oisin married and had three children, Fionn, Oisin and Plur na mBan.

Ship's Characteristics
Type	Large Patrol Vessel
Length	78.84m
Beam	14m
Draught	3.8m
Main Engines	2 X Twin 16 cly V26 Wartsila 26 medium speed Diesels 5000 KW at 1,000 RPM 2 Shafts
Speed	23 knots
Range	6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots
Crew	44 (6 Officers)
Commissioned	18 September 2001

Weaponary Aboard
Main Armament	76mm OTO Melara Canon Radamec Fire Control System
Secondary Armament	2 X 20mm Rheinmetall Rh202 Canon 2 X 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun
Small Arms	Various small arms ranging from: 9mm Pistol to 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun

The Fleet