LÉ. Niamh P 52
L.É. NIAMH (the second of the Róisín class) was built in Appledore Shipyard in the UK for the Naval Service. 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 |
