Page 4 - Defence Forces Pictorial History

Foreword by the Chief of Staff

Óglaigh na hÉireann The Defence Forces
The Defence Forces

I am pleased to introduce this very brief history of our Defence
Forces which I hope you as a member will fnd both interesting
and useful. History is the basis of our traditions and the pride
we feel in our Defence Forces. It follows therefore that without
a knowledge of our history we are in danger of losing a sense of
the values and ethos that are an essential part of our identity.

This booklet aims to provide you with an understanding of
the organisation that you have become a part. The tradition of
service and loyalty, that runs as a theme throughout our history,
was set by the Volunteers in 1913 and is continued to this day
in the modern Defence Forces. I urge all the young men and
women who have recently embarked on a career in either the
Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force to
develop an interest in the foundation and development of the
organisation they have recently joined. Our history is in essence
a history of this state.

I wish to thank Comdt Billy Campbell who took on the editorial
work for this project at my request. I hope you will fnd the
fnished product informative and stimulating and that it will
help to instil a greater sense of pride in who we are and in what
we do.

Maj Gen Jim Sreenan
Chief of Staff
The Defence Forces

A Pictorial History of Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Defence Forces of Ireland