Joining Defence Forces
Personnel typically join the Defence Forces through one of two routes; as a recruit to the enlisted ranks which account for the vast majority of personnel in the Defence Forces, or as a cadet to the officer ranks. Recruits undergo an intensive period of training with their recruit platoon in a designated barracks and at the end of this training, if they are successful, they will be passed out as a Private in the Defence Forces. Cadets complete their military training in the Cadet School in the Curragh Camp and at the end of their training, if successful, they will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Many soldiers and officers retain vivid impressions of their recruit or cadet training as their first introduction to military life.
Journey to Dublin in June 1940 to join the Irish Army
Category: Joining Defence Forces
Art Magennis
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Ardglass Cathal Brugha Barracks
Length: 3.38
Heading for the Curragh across snow
Category: Joining Defence Forces
Sean Norton
Interviewed for MAOHP - 30/01/2017
Location(s): Curragh Camp
Length: 0.59
Joining Irish Army (1947)
Category: Joining Defence Forces
Paul Cushnan
Interviewed for MAOHP - 11/07/2017
Location(s): Custume Barracks
Length: 1.15
Joining Air Corps – 1940
Category: Joining Defence Forces
Jeremiah O’Connor
Interviewed for MAOHP - 15/02/2008
Location(s): Kenmare
Length: 2.59
Motivation to join army
Category: Joining Defence Forces
Sean Norton
Interviewed for MAOHP - 30/01/2017
Location(s): Curragh Camp
Length: 1.23
First meal with the Irish Army – June 1940
Category: Joining Defence Forces
Art Magennis
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks
Length: 2.29
First Journey in Uniform
Category: Joining Defence Forces
Art Magennis
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks
Length: 3.48
Joining FCA and Defence Forces
Category: Joining Defence Forces
Michael Walsh
Interviewed for MAOHP - 07/02/2017
Location(s): Galway
Length: 2.07
Joining the Irish Army
Category: Joining Defence Forces
Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Limerick City
Length: 2.06