Irish Naval Service

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Irish Naval Service

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The Naval Service is the State's Principal Seagoing Agency. The Irish Naval Service (INS) is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.

Defence roles include defending territorial seas, deterring intrusive or aggressive acts, conducting maritime surveillance, maintaining an armed naval presence, ensuring right of passage, protecting marine assets and contributing to a blockade if required. The INS must also be capable of supporting Army operations by sea lift and close naval support. The Naval Base is on Haulbowline Island, Co Cork. The INS is currently recruiting for a wide range of positions, please see the following link for the most up to date information on open competitions:

https://www.military.ie/en/careers/current-competitions/

30/10/2026

Congratulations to the Naval Officers of the 8th Joint Command and Staff Course who were conferred with Master of Arts Degrees in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies from the University of Maynooth yesterday.

This follows a year long military and civilian program run by the Command and Staff School in the Defence Forces Training Center, in collaboration with Maynooth University.

Students from all components of the Defence Forces, and the United States Army, completed the course which prepares the graduates for service in Senior Command appointments.

Pictured with Commodore Darragh Kirwan, FOCNS, are Lieutenant Commanders Stephen Stack, Cathal Quigley, Kieran Carr, Alan Flynn and Stuart Donaldson.

🇮🇪⚓️👨🏽‍🎓

27/10/2026

⚓ Celebrating 80 years of the Naval Service!

Founded on 1 September 1946, the Naval Service marks eight decades of safeguarding Ireland's maritime interests, protecting our waters, and serving the State with distinction.

Today, serving personnel, veterans, and their families are gathering at Haulbowline for a special family day to celebrate this incredible milestone and honor all those who have dedicated themselves to protecting our maritime domain.

For more information, visit gov.ie/defence

27/10/2026

Delighted to have hosted the NAVY80 event on the Naval Base today to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the foundation of the Naval Service in 1946. Many Thanks to all current and past service personnel, and their families, who turned up to support the event and join in in the celebrations.

The NS organising committee, and the wider DF who supported the festivities, deserve a big Bravo Zulu for bringing this anniversary plan to fruition.

We all look forward to NAVY100 and the unearthing of the time capsule...

🇮🇪⚓️🎂

23/10/2026

Congratulations to the students of the 50th Naval Service Potential NCO Course on their Passing Out today. This ceremony marks the end of 17 weeks of intense and demanding training across numerous disciplines. BZ all on reaching this significant milestone in your careers.

Special mention to Able Seaman Holly Murphy who was presented the award for the Best Potential NCO.

Well done to Lt Keneally, Petty Officers Hartnett, Mahony and Kavanagh on getting this next generation of Junior Leaders ready for their future roles in the Fleet and beyond.

🇮🇪⚓️

20/10/2026

16/10/2026

Join the Irish Naval Service at Jobs Expo Dublin, in the RDS, tomorrow October 17, and discover what life at sea can offer.

Whether you're interested in engineering, operations, apprenticeships, or leadership roles, there are exciting opportunities waiting for you.

Travel the world
Learn valuable skills while earning a salary
Be part of a proud team serving Ireland

Come meet our crew, ask questions, and explore your future with us.

With new roles like Communications Operator or your chance to train and serve as a Chef, the Naval Service offers opportunities to travel, grow and learn.

Your journey starts here military.ie

13/10/2026

The Naval Service will celebrate it's 80th Birthday on Tuesday the 27th of October.

All currently serving and retired service members, permanent and reserve, and their families are invited to celebrate the occasion on the Naval Base.

Bigi Linn!
🇮🇪⚓️🎂

17/09/2026

This week L.E. JAMES JOYCE participated in PASSEX evolutions with Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group One (SNMCMG1) after the Group's successful port visit to Dublin.

The ship's engaged in Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres, Replenishment at Sea (RAS) Approaches and Communications exercises. PASSEX are designed to test and enhance the Navy's interoperability and functionality with other Western navies to ensure we operate to the highest standards in a multinational setting.

The core mission of SNMCMG1 is to locate and destroy legacy naval mines, unexploded ordnance and and am******on from past conflicts in the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea.

🇮🇪 🤝 🇨🇦 🇩🇪 🇱🇹🇵🇱

16/09/2026

12/09/2026

A record 114 boxers entered this years Defence Forces Boxing Championships. The Naval Service team secured a magnificent haul of five Gold, one Silver, and one Bronze medal. All seven members of the team stepping onto the podium, an incredible result.

Lt Molloy 🏅
AB O'Flynn 🏅
AB Doherty 🏅
AB Shannon 🏅
Cdt Conroy 🏅
CPO Malone 🥈
AB Hill 🥉

BZ to all boxers and special thanks to the team coaches; Lt Molloy, CPO Quigley, CPO Malone, and AB Lavan.

Train hard, fight easy. On to the next one 🇮🇪🥊

Address

Haulbowline
Cobh

Website

http://www.navy.ie/

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