Page 27 - Defence Forces Pictorial History

DEFENCE FORCES BADGE

The Badge design (common to all Corps and Services and
all orders of dress) is derived from the badge of the Irish
Volunteers and was designed by Professor Eoin MacNeill,
Chairman of the National Executive of the Irish Volunteers.
This badge was originally adopted by the Irish Volunteers in
October 1914 as the official badge of the organisation. The
Centrepiece is formed of the letters FF. These letters signify
Fianna Fáil. The word Fianna is the name of the ancient
military organisation (circa 3rd Century A.D.) forming what
then corresponded to the standing Army of the country.
The word Fáil means Destiny. One of the ancient names
of Ireland was Inishfáil (the Isle of Destiny) and Fianna
Fáil thus signifies the Fianna (or Army) of Ireland. The
two letters are surrounded by a representation of an ancient
warriors sword belt and a circle of flames which represent
the Sunburst - the traditional battle symbol of the Fianna.
The words Óglaigh na h-Éireann inscribed around the sword
belt mean Soldiers of Ireland. No particular significance is
attached to the representation of the star which was included
to balance the design.