We use cookies to give you the best possible online experience. If you continue, we'll assume you are happy for your web browser to receive all cookies from our website. See our Privacy & Cookie policy statement for more information on cookies and how to manage them.

Manage cookies
Accept all cookies
Skip to main content Skip to navigation
Contact Us
Member's Area
Gaeilge
  1. Who We Are
  2. Army
Army 3.1

Army

The Army is organised on conventional military lines providing a sufficiently flexible structure to carry out all the roles assigned by Government. The Army is a standing force and provides the primary capabilities for joint military operations at home and combined military Peace Support Operations abroad.

Organisation of the Army

The Army is organised on conventional military lines providing a sufficiently flexible structure to carry out all the roles assigned by Government.  The Army is a standing force and provides the primary capabilities for joint military operations at home and combined military Peace Support Operations abroad. The Army continues to retain all-arms conventional military capabilities, within the existing two infantry Brigades and the Defence Forces’ Training Centre, including SOF.

The country is divided into three areas for administrative and operational reasons, and in each area there is an infantry Brigade. The three brigade group structure envisages distinct operational areas of responsibility for each of the brigades and is supported in their responsibilities by the Naval Service and Air Corps. Each of the Brigade formations and the Air Corps are commanded by a Brigadier General while the Naval Service is commanded by a Commodore.

The Army Brigades

  • Defence Forces Headquarters
  • 1 Brigade
  • 2 Brigade
  • Defence Forces Training Centre

Summary 1 bde
1 Brigade
The 1st Brigade is responsible for military operations in the south of the country. Its area of responsibility includes the counties of Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick Clare, Tipperary and Galway. The Brigade Headquarters is located in Collins Barracks, Cork.
Summary 2 bde
2 Brigade
The 2nd Brigade is responsible for military operations in the northern area of the country. Its area of responsibility includes the counties of Wicklow, Dublin, Louth, Kildare, Longford, , Meath, Westmeath, Roscommon, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim & Mayo. The Brigade Headquarters is located in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.
hero dftc
Defence Forces Training Centre
The Defence Forces Training Centre is the centre of excellence for all Defence Forces training, education and logistical units
ARMY CORPS
Army Corps
Within the Army structure there are different Corps. The Army Corps support the seven combat functions - Manoeuvre, Fire Support, Air Defence, ISTAR, Mobility, Combat Service Support and Command & Control.
ARW (1)
ARW
The Army Ranger Wing (ARW) is the special operations force of the Irish Defence Forces. The ARW roles are divided between wartime special operations ("Green Role") and anti-terrorism ("Black Role").
EQUITATION SCHOOL
Equitation School
The Equitation School was founded in 1926 to promote Ireland and the Irish horse. Since then Equitation School riders have been the backbone of Irish show-jumping and event teams.
DF SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Defence Forces School of Music
The School of Music is organised as a Corps of the Army and as such it contains a Directorate, a Headquarters incorporating the Army No.1 Band and one detached military bands, namely The Band of 1 Brigade and Band of the 2 Brigade.
WEAPONS
Weapons
Platoon, Company and Battalion level weaponry.