Editing Irish Naval Service (section)

== History ==
[[File:Irish Naval Service recovering bodies from the Air India Flight 182 disaster.jpg|thumb|Naval Service personnel remove the body of a victim of [[Air India Flight 182]] from [[LÉ Aisling (P23)|LÉ ''Aisling'']] which was sent to search for survivors on 23 June 1985]]

=== Coastal and Marine Service ===

The [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] of 1921, which created the [[Irish Free State]], stipulated that it was to be given responsibility to police its customs and fishing, while control of its seas remained with the United Kingdom and its [[Royal Navy]], who also retained the "Treaty Ports" of Cork, Berehaven and Lough Swilly.<ref name=Articles>''Articles of Agreement between Great Britain and Ireland'', 6 December 1921 (Irish Free State established pursuant thereto on 6 December 1922)</ref><ref name="history1">{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/en/public-information/defence-forces-museums/defence-forces-history/history-of-the-naval-service/|website=military.ie|title=History of the Naval Service|access-date=10 February 2025}}</ref>

During the [[Irish Civil War]], due to the lack of an established navy for the [[Irish Free State]], the [[Royal Navy]] provided some support, patrolling and searching incoming ships to prevent gun-running to the [[Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)|Irish Republican Army]]. Actually backing the Free State in combat was considered, but never implemented, as British military intervention would have been politically-embarrassing for the new Irish government. Anti-Treaty IRA units occasionally fired on Royal Navy vessels, though these efforts were ineffective.[https://www.rte.ie/history/sea-landings/2022/0804/1313991-the-civil-war-on-water/</ref>

Several coastal landings were undertaken by the [[Irish National Army]] using commandeered civilian passenger ships such as the [[TSS Cambria (1897)|''Arvonia'']] and the [[SS Lady Wicklow]].<ref>{{cite book|last=McIvor|first=Aidan|title=A History of the Irish Naval Service|year=1994|publisher=Irish Academic Press|location=Dublin|isbn=0-7165-2523-2|page=46}}</ref><ref name="lugnad">{{cite web|last1=Bourke|first1=Dr Edward|title=Early Irish Free State Naval Activity|url=https://www.lugnad.ie/free-state-navy/|website=lugnad.ie|access-date=6 October 2015|archive-date=27 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627071018/https://www.lugnad.ie/free-state-navy/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 2 August 1922, the ''Lady Wicklow'', commanded by Captain Patrick Ryan, landed 450 troops under the infamous [[Paddy Daly]] at [[Fenit]], the port of [[Tralee]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Harrington|first=Niall|year=1992|title=Kerry Landing|place=Dublin|publisher=Anvil Books|isbn=978-0-947962-70-8|page=72}}</ref> On 8 August, the ''Arvonia'' and ''Lady Wicklow'' were used to land over 1,000 troops at [[Youghal]] and [[Passage West]] liberating Cork unopposed two days later.<ref>{{cite book|last=Duggan|first=John P.|title=A History of the Irish Army|year=1991|publisher=Gill & Macmillan|isbn=0-7171-1957-2|page=96}}</ref>

In May 1923, Major General Vize established the Coastal and Marine Service (CMS) with fourteen patrol vessels, each armed with a 12 pounder gun, and several other boats armed with machine guns. As the civil war concluded the same month, the vessels were soon disposed of, and the service was disbanded in March 1924.<ref name="history1"/><ref name="lugnad"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.militaryarchives.ie/uploads/antoglac/1923.02.24%20to%201923.12.29%20-%20Vol%2001%20No%2001%20to%20Vol%2001%20No%2021.pdf#page=347|magazine=An tÓglach Magazine|title=On board the coast patrol sloop 'Dainty'|page=347|author=<!-- not stated -->|publisher=The Military Archives|date=6 October 1923|access-date=10 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://inishowenmaritime.com/museum-themes/irish-naval-service/|website=inishowenmaritime.com|title=Irish Naval Service|access-date=10 February 2025}}</ref>

=== Inter-war years ===
[[File:HMCS Malaspina E-75597.jpg|thumb|HMCS Malaspina of the same design as the ''Muirchu'']]

From 1924 to 1938, Ireland had very little interest in maritime affairs.<ref name="history1"/> Its only ship was the unarmed {{ship|Irish patrol vessel|Muirchú||2}}, which was operated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to patrol Irish fisheries. By the late 1930s, the Free State began to pay a little more notice and the ''Muirchú'' was re-armed in 1936. She was joined in 1938 by the newly built steam trawler ''Fort Rannoch''.<ref name="history2">{{cite web|url=https://coastmonkey.ie/irish-naval-service-anniversary-founding/|website=coastmonkey.ie|title=The Irish Naval Service – 72 years of Excellent Service (1946 – 2018)|first=Daniel|last=Farrell|date=1 September 2018|access-date=3 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="mivessels">{{cite web|url=https://www.marine.ie/site-area/areas-activity/fisheries-ecosystems/interactive-marine-archive/vessels|publisher=[[Marine Institute Ireland|Marine Institute]]|website=marine.ie|title=Marine Archive - Vessels|access-date=3 December 2022}}</ref> Also in 1938, the [[Anglo-Irish Trade Agreement]] returned the Treaty Ports to Ireland, and the Royal Navy withdrew from Cork Harbour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.difp.ie/docs/1938/British-Irish-tripartite-agreement-on-trade-finance-and-defence/2321.htm|title=British-Irish tripartite agreement on trade, finance and defence from Text of British-Agreements|access-date=19 April 2020|website=Documents on Irish Foreign Policy|date=25 April 1938}}</ref>

=== The Emergency - Marine and Coastwatching Service ===
[[File:M1 Irish Motor Torpedo Boat.jpg|thumb|M1 Irish motor torpedo boat]]

On the outbreak of World War Two in September 1939, referred to as [[The Emergency (Ireland)|The Emergency]] in Ireland, the government established the Marine and Coastwatching Service, later renamed the Marine Service in 1942.<ref name="history1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coastmonkey.ie/irish-torpedo-boats-in-the-1940s/|title=Irish torpedo boats in the 1940s|publisher=Coast Monkey Media|access-date=6 December 2017|date=29 August 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206201318/https://www.coastmonkey.ie/irish-torpedo-boats-in-the-1940s/|url-status=live}}</ref> That May the government had ordered two [[motor torpedo boat]]s (MTBs) from [[Vosper & Company|Vosper Thorneycroft]]. In order to present a more credible neutrality the government ordered an additional four boats later that year.<ref name="history2"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mariner.ie/irish-naval-service-the-birth/|title=Irish Naval Service – The Birth|date=26 March 2012|publisher=[[National Maritime Museum of Ireland]]|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206210317/https://www.mariner.ie/irish-naval-service-the-birth/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=MacCarron|first1=Donal|title=The Irish Defence Forces since 1922|date=2004|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]|isbn=9781841767420|page=19}}</ref>
In June 1940, one of the MTBs was involved in a serious breach of Irish neutrality, when the crew who were in Southampton to collect the boat decided to assist in evacuating Allied soldiers during the [[Dunkirk evacuation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/price-of-fighting-in-the-second-world-war-1.673514|title=Price of fighting in the second World War|date=6 November 2010|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|issn=0791-5144|location=Dublin|language=en|access-date=12 September 2020|quote=The [motor torpedo boat] crew made two trips across the English Channel, rescuing French and British soldiers|archive-date=13 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213160344/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/price-of-fighting-in-the-second-world-war-1.673514|url-status=live}}</ref>
A naval reserve, the [[Maritime Inscription]], was established with over 1,000 men in twelve companies to provide port security.<ref>{{cite book|last=Duggan|first=John P.|title=A History of the Irish Army|year=1991|publisher=Gill & Macmillan|isbn=0-7171-1957-2|page=187}}</ref> The closed Royal Navy base at [[Haulbowline#Naval history|Haulbowline]] in Cork harbour was re-opened in 1940 to serve as the base for the Service. By 1941, the Service had about 300 all ranks, with the six MTBs joined by the ''Muirchú'', ''Fort Rannock'', the minelayer ''Shark'', and sail training vessel ''Isaalt''. During the Emergency, these ships served as Ireland's navy, regulating merchant ships, protecting fisheries, and laying mines in Cork and Waterford harbours.<ref name="history3">{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/naval-service/history|website=defence.ie|title=History {{!}} Naval Service {{!}} Defence Forces|access-date=12 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517021317/https://www.military.ie/naval-service/history|archive-date=17 May 2011}}</ref>

=== Cold War - Naval Service ===

==== 1946-1971 ====

In September 1946, the Marine Service was incorporated into the [[Irish Defence Forces]] as the Naval Service.<ref name="history1"/><ref name="history2"/> The first formal training of Irish Naval Cadets took place at the [[Britannia Royal Naval College]], Dartmouth, UK in 1947.<ref name="history3"/><ref name="osprey36">{{cite book|last1=MacCarron|first1=Donal|title=The Irish Defence Forces since 1922|date=2004|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]|isbn=9781841767420|page=36}}</ref> In June 1947, the Maritime Inscription was reorganised as ''An Slua Muirí''.<ref name="nsr_history">{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ship-called-after-a-sea-goddess-to-the-fore-in-naval-reserve-1.84632|title=Ship called after a sea goddess to the fore in naval reserve|publisher=Irish Times|date=24 Jun 1997|accessdate=1 April 2025}}</ref> The government intended to purchase six corvettes for the fledgling navy, but ultimately only three {{sclass2|Flower|corvette}}s were purchased from the United Kingdom in 1946 and 1947.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1946-11-20/22/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Questions. Oral Answers. - The Naval Service. (Dáil Éireann Debate – Wednesday, 20 November 1946)|date=20 November 1946|access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref> The tradition of naming Irish Naval Ships after figures in [[Celtic mythology]] was started, and the ships were named {{ship|LÉ|Macha|01|6}}, {{ship|LÉ|Maev|02|6}}, and {{ship|LÉ|Cliona|03|6}}. These three corvettes were Naval Service's only ships during the 1950s and 1960s with their main role being fishery protection. The corvettes were withdrawn from service between 1970-2 and scrapped soon afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2014/1126/662439-irish-navy-down-to-its-last-ship/|title=Irish Naval Service 1969|website=rte.ie|date=26 November 1969|access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref><ref name="history4">{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/naval-service/history/fleet-history/|website=defence.ie|title=Fleet History {{!}} History {{!}} Naval Service {{!}} Defence Forces|access-date=25 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510031624/https://www.military.ie/naval-service/history/fleet-history/|archive-date=10 May 2012}}</ref> In 1971, the Naval Service acquired three {{sclass2|Ton|minesweeper||ship}}s: {{ship|LÉ|Grainne|CM10|6}}, {{ship|LÉ|Banba|CM11|6}} and {{ship|LÉ|Fola|CM12|6}}.<ref name="history4"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1971-01-28/5/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Committee on Finance. - Vote 43: Defence. (Dáil Éireann Debate – Thursday, 28 January 1971)|date=28 January 1971|access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2016/0531/792188-new-ships-for-irish-navy/|title=Rebuilding The Irish Navy 1971|website=rte.ie|date=3 June 1971|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref>

==== 1971-1989 ====

The 1970s was a time of expansion for the Naval Service as several locally built ships were added to the fleet. In 1971, the Naval Service commissioned Verolme Cork Dockyard to build an offshore patrol ship. Named {{ship|LÉ|Deirdre|P20|6}}, it was the first naval vessel purpose-built in Ireland to patrol its waters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/Main%20Section%20Pages/Weapons%26Equipment/Navy/navy_2.htm|website=defence.ie|title=Weapons & Equipment - Naval Service|access-date=3 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991003125220/https://www.military.ie/Main%20Section%20Pages/Weapons%26Equipment/Navy/navy_2.htm|archive-date=3 October 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1970-12-16/146/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Questions. Oral Answers. - All-Weather Fishing Protection Vessels. (Dáil Éireann Debate – Wednesday, 16 December 1970)|date=16 December 1970|access-date=3 March 2025}}</ref>

[[File:The LE "Deirdre" at Dun Loaghaire - geograph.org.uk - 626538.jpg|thumb|LÉ ''Deirdre'', the first purpose-built ship commissioned by the Irish Naval Service]]

Since independence, Ireland's [[territorial waters]] were limited to {{convert|3|nmi|km}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1959/act/22/section/3/enacted/en/html#sec3|title=Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 1959, Section 3|access-date=5 March 2025|publisher=[[Attorney General of Ireland]]}}</ref>
In 1964, her territorial waters were extended to {{convert|12|nmi|km}} increasing her maritime area to {{cvt|41000|km2|sqmi}}.<ref name="statute-1964">{{cite web|url=https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1964/act/32/section/2/enacted/en/html#sec2|title=Maritime Jurisdiction (Amendment) Act, 1964, Section 2|access-date=5 March 2025|publisher=[[Attorney General of Ireland]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://oar.marine.ie/bitstream/handle/10793/30/Atlas%20of%20the%20Commercial%20Fisheries%20Around%20Ireland%2009.pdf;sequence=1|title=Atlas of the Commercial Fisheries Around Ireland|website=marine.ie|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref>
In 1976, Ireland's [[exclusive economic zone#Ireland|exclusive economic zone]] was extended out to {{convert|200|nmi|km}}, increasing her maritime area to {{cvt|450000|km2|sqmi}}.<ref name="statute-1976">{{cite web|url=https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1976/si/320/made/en/print|title=S.I. No. 320/1976 - Maritime Jurisdiction (Exclusive Fishery Limits) Order, 1976.|access-date=5 March 2025|publisher=[[Attorney General of Ireland]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1976-12-01/26/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishery Limits. (Dáil Éireann Debate – Tuesday, 1 December 1976)|date=1 December 1976|access-date=5 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://marine-ireland.ie/strengths/marine|website=marine-ireland.ie|title=Marine Strengths|access-date=5 March 2025}}</ref> The increased maritime area required additional patrol vessels, and Ireland was granted funding from the [[European Economic Community]] to increase the Naval Service fleet.<ref name="history3"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ireland.representation.ec.europa.eu/strategy-and-priorities/key-eu-policies-ireland/fisheries-ireland_en|title=Fisheries in Ireland|website=ec.europa.eu|date=31 May 2024|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref> Between 1977 to 1982 inclusive, Ireland received IR£31 million from the EEC to purchase ships and aircraft for fishery protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1983-11-16/51/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Written Answers. - EEC Funds. (Dáil Éireann Debate – Wednesday, 16 November 1983)|date=16 November 1983|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref>

LÉ ''Deirdre'' was the prototype for three further offshore patrol vessels built by Verolme,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/naval-service/fleet/offshore-patrol-vessel|website=defence.ie|title=You are here: Naval Service > Fleet > Offshore Patrol Vessel|access-date=3 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508022509/https://www.military.ie/naval-service/fleet/offshore-patrol-vessel|archive-date=8 May 2012}}</ref><ref name="osprey36"/> which were {{ship|LÉ|Emer|P21|6}} (1978),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1974-04-02/4/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Questions. Oral Answers. - Naval Service. (Dáil Éireann Debate – Tuesday, 2 April 1974)|date=2 April 1974|access-date=3 March 2025}}</ref> 
{{ship|LÉ|Aoife|P22|6}} (1979),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1978-02-28/28/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Vote 46: Defence (Dáil Éireann Debate – Tuesday, 28 February 1978)|date=28 February 1978|access-date=3 March 2025}}</ref> and {{ship|LÉ|Aisling|P23|6}} (1980).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/1395581-an-cosant%C3%B3ir-july-august-2021/49|title=The Fate of the PV's|publisher=jmpublishing.ie|date=July 2021|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Irish Naval Service recovering bodies from the Air India Flight 182 disaster.jpg|thumb|Naval Service personnel remove the body of a victim of [[Air India Flight 182]] from [[LÉ Aisling (P23)|LÉ ''Aisling'']] which was sent to search for survivors on 23 June 1985]]

In 1980, the government planned to acquire two helicopter carriers from Verolme.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1980-03-20/27/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Written Answers. - Naval Service. (Dáil Éireann Debate – Thursday, 20 March 1980)|date=20 March 1980|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1980-12-17/20/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Questions. Oral Answers. - Naval Service. (Dáil Éireann Debate – Thursday, 17 December 1980)|date=17 December 1980|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref> However, due to design delays<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1981-01-28/56/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Written Answers. - Naval Patrol Vessels. (Dáil Éireann Debate – Wednesday, 28 January 1981)|date=28 January 1981|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref> the first ship was not ordered until April 1982 with delivery expected twenty four months later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1983-01-26/77/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Written Answers. - Naval Service. (Dáil Éireann Debate – Wednesday, 26 January 1983|date=26 January 1983|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref> {{ship|LÉ|Eithne|P31|6}} entered service in December 1984, and two [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|Dauphin]] helicopters were acquired to operate with her.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/naval-service/fleet/helicopter-patrol-vessel|website=defence.ie|title=You are here: Naval Service > Fleet > Helicopter Patrol Vessel|access-date=11 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508012756/https://www.military.ie/naval-service/fleet/helicopter-patrol-vessel|archive-date=8 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.military.ie/aircorps/dauphin.htm|title=Aircraft - Aerospatiale SA.365F Dauphin II|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124114030/http://www.military.ie/aircorps/dauphin.htm|website=military.ie|archive-date=24 November 2005|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref> In 1986, L.É. ''Eithne'' became the first Irish naval ship to cross the Atlantic. The closure of the Verolme dockyard in 1984 due to poor management and low worker productivity prevented the sister ship to Eithne being ordered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1984-11-28/27/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Private Members' Business. - Verolme Cork Dockyard: Motion (Resumed). (Dáil Éireann Debate – Wednesday, 28 November 1984)|date=28 November 1984|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20253703.html|title=Dockyard's fate was sealed a year before its closure|website=irishexaminer.com|date=28 December 2013|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref>

Meanwhile, ''Isolda'' was acquired in 1977 from the [[Commissioners of Irish Lights]]. Renamed {{ship|LÉ|Setanta|A15}}, she served as a [[training ship]] until 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2016/1008/822265-new-irish-navy-training-ship/|website=rte.ie|title=Isolde Becomes Setanta|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref> A Danish stern trawler ''Helen Basse'' was leased for a year in 1977 as the {{ship|LÉ|Ferdia|A16}}.<ref name="history4"/> By the 1980s, the three minesweepers were showing their age and were withdrawn from service by 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1988-10-27/3/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Estimates for Public Services 1989, and Public Capital Programme, 1989: Motion (Resumed). (Dáil Éireann Debate – Thursday, 27 October 1988)|date=27 October 1988|access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref> As replacements, in 1988 the government purchased two {{sclass|Peacock|patrol vessel}}s from the [[Royal Navy]]'s Hong Kong Squadron, which were renamed {{ship|LÉ|Orla|P41|6}} and {{ship|LÉ|Ciara|P42|6}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/naval-service/fleet/coastal-patrol-vessel|website=defence.ie|title=You are here: Naval Service > History > Coastal Patrol Vessel|access-date=13 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508011444/https://www.military.ie/naval-service/fleet/coastal-patrol-vessel|archive-date=8 May 2012}}</ref> The 50th anniversary of the Irish Naval Service took place in 1996, which included a fleet review by President [[Mary Robinson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2016/0706/800540-irish-naval-service-50th-anniversary/|publisher=RTÉ|website=rte.ie|title=RTÉ Archives - Saluting 50 Years Of The Irish Navy (1996)|accessdate=3 December 2022}}</ref>

=== Into the 21st century ===

In the late 1990s, the government commissioned [[Appledore Shipbuilders]] to construct a new class of larger patrol vessels. In December 1999, {{ship|LÉ|Róisín|P51|6}} was delivered to the Naval Service, followed in September 2001 by {{ship|LÉ|Niamh|P52|6}}.<ref name="history3"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/naval-service/fleet/large-patrol-vessel|website=defence.ie|title=You are here: Naval Service > History > Large Patrol Vessel|access-date=18 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508011300/https://www.military.ie/naval-service/fleet/large-patrol-vessel|archive-date=8 May 2012}}</ref> LÉ ''Deirdre'' was decommissioned the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2021/0531/1225103-le-deirdre-to-be-a-luxury-yacht/|website=rte.ie|title=Irish Naval Ship Sold|date=14 June 2001|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref> On 1 October 2005, ''An Slua Muirí'' was reorganised into the [[Naval Service Reserve]].<ref name="nsr_about">{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/reserve-defence-forces/naval-service-reserve/about-naval-service-reserve/|title=About the Army Reserve|publisher=Defence Forces Ireland|access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Best 18 (9576262758).jpg|thumb|LÉ ''Róisín'' cruising off the [[Skellig Islands]] in 2013]]

In 2010, Appledore was again commissioned to construct two new patrol vessels to VARD Marine's PV90 design.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vardmarine.com/services/case-studies/parent-vessel-design-scaling-case-study/|website=vardmarine.com|title=Parent Vessel Design Scaling Case Study|access-date=4 April 2025}}</ref> The new ships were 12m longer than the ''Róisín'' class patrol vessels, allowing for a longer deck area to accommodate [[Remotely operated underwater vehicle|unmanned submersibles]], a [[diving chamber]], or [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAVs]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Sean O'Riordan|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/navy-ships-to-carry-deep-sea-robot-subs-194909.html|title=Navy ships to carry deep sea robot subs|newspaper=[[Irish Examiner]]|issn=1393-9564|location=Cork|language=en|date=24 May 2012|access-date=24 April 2014|archive-date=13 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213160329/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20194909.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a very controversial decision, the government broke from tradition and decided to name the new ships after Irish writers.<ref name="p60-names">{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/decision-to-name-navy-patrol-ships-after-writers-defended-1.1784185|title=Decision to name Navy patrol ships after writers defended|date=5 May 2014|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|issn=0791-5144|location=Dublin|language=en|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref> The first, {{ship|LÉ|Samuel Beckett|P61|6}}, was delivered in April 2014 replacing the decommissioned LÉ ''Emer''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/naval-service/the-fleet/le-samuel-beckett-p61/|website=military.ie|title=LÉ Samuel Beckett P61|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0430/613929-le-samuel-beckett/|website=rte.ie|title=Navy's newest ship LÉ Samuel Beckett sails into Cork|date=30 April 2014|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0920/475424-le-emer/|website=rte.ie|title=Navy's oldest vessel LÉ Emer decommissioned in Cork|date=20 September 2013|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref>
The second, {{ship|LÉ|James Joyce|P62|6}} arrived in September 2015 to replace the decommissioned LÉ ''Aoife''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/naval-service/the-fleet/le-james-joyce-p62/|website=military.ie|title=LÉ James Joyce P62|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1127/663095-le-aoife/|website=rte.ie|title=Naval vessel LÉ Aoife to be sold at auction next year|date=27 November 2014|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref>
The option for a third, {{ship|LÉ|William Butler Yeats|P63|6}}, was exercised in June 2014 and commissioned in October 2016 to replace the LÉ ''Aisling''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/naval-service/the-fleet/le-william-b-yeats-p63/|website=military.ie|title=LÉ William Butler Yeats P63|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1017/824698-le-william-butler-yeats/|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=17 October 2016|title=LÉ William Butler Yeats formally enters service|access-date=26 August 2017|archive-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827044248/https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1017/824698-le-william-butler-yeats/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2017/0516/875454-no-reserve-price-was-set-for-sale-of-the-le-aisling/|website=rte.ie|title=Dáil told LÉ Aisling cost €380,000 to maintain since June|date=16 May 2017|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref>
A fourth, {{ship|LÉ|George Bernard Shaw|P64|6}}, was also ordered and entered service in October 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/naval-service/the-fleet/le-george-b-shaw-p64/|website=military.ie|title=LÉ George Bernard Shaw P64|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2019/0430/1046694-transplant-naval-ceremony/|title=Naval vessel named after George Bernard Shaw in ceremony|website=rte.ie|date=30 April 2019|access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/le-george-bernard-shaw-launch-waterford-4612805-Apr2019/|title=Ireland's fourth offshore patrol vessel, the LÉ George Bernard Shaw, has been officially commissioned|date=30 April 2019|first=Stephen|last=McDermott|work=[[TheJournal.ie]]|location=Dublin|access-date=30 April 2019|archive-date=13 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213160358/https://www.thejournal.ie/le-george-bernard-shaw-launch-waterford-4612805-Apr2019/|url-status=live }}</ref>

While Naval Service ships typically operate in Irish waters, they have provided resupply missions to Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon, Cyprus, the Balkans, Eritrea and Liberia.<ref name="history1"/> In 2002, LÉ ''Niamh'' travelled to the far east in a trade mission, visiting India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Korea, and Japan, resupplying Irish peacekeepers in Eritrea enroute. During the cruise, she became the first Irish naval ship to transit the [[Suez Canal]] and cross the [[Equator]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://raco.ie/attachments/067_1_1_navalgazing.pdf|title=The Voyage of LE Niamh|last1=Hessinger|first1=Robyn|website=raco.ie|publisher=Representative Association of Commissioned Officers|access-date=2 April 2025}}</ref> In 2006, LÉ ''Eithne'' travelled to Argentina to attend commemorations of Irish-born [[William Brown (admiral)|Admiral William Brown]], founder of the Argentine Navy, in the first-ever deployment of an Irish naval ship to the southern hemisphere. She also visited ports in Uruguay and Brazil, and brought back a statue of Brown which is erected on [[Sir John Rogerson's Quay]], Dublin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.military.ie/naval/archive/eithne_diary/dep.htm|title=Voyage diary: L.É. Eithne departs for Buenos Aires, Argentina|access-date=2 April 2025|author=Mark Mellett|date=February 2006|publisher=Irish Naval Service|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428024742/http://www.military.ie/naval/archive/eithne_diary/dep.htm|archive-date=28 April 2006}}</ref> In 2010, LÉ ''Niamh'' travelled to Latin America attend bicentenary independence celebrations in a trade and diplomatic mission. During her trip she visited Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and the United States, and became the first Irish naval ship to transit the Straits of Magellan and the Panama Canal, and the first to sail in the Pacific Ocean.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0714/133333-naval/|website=rte.ie|title=LE Niamh to return from Latin America mission|date=14 July 2010|access-date=2 April 2025}}</ref>

From 2015 to 2018, the Naval Service deployed a ship eleven times to the Mediterranean to provide humanitarian assistance because of the [[European migrant crisis]], firstly in a bilateral agreement with Italy under [[Operation Pontus]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/irish-navy-to-join-eu-migrant-search-and-rescue-operation-1.3148771|title=Irish Navy to join EU migrant search-and-rescue operation|date=10 July 2017|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|issn=0791-5144|location=Dublin|language=en|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116051151/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/irish-navy-to-join-eu-migrant-search-and-rescue-operation-1.3148771|url-status=live}}</ref> and latterly with the [[European Union]]'s [[Operation Sophia]], rescuing over 18,000 illegal migrants.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-01-23/138/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Naval Service Operations (Dáil Éireann Debate – Tuesday, 23 January 2018)|date=23 January 2018|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2024/0112/1426020-irish-naval-service-personnel-retention-crisis-salaries-humanitarian-missions/|website=rte.ie|title=Will new pay measures help retention in the Irish Naval Service?|date=12 January 2024|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref>
Participation in Operation Sophia was controversial as it required approval by the so-called [[Triple lock (Irish Defence Forces)|"triple lock"]] process.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2017/0709/888892-ireland-naval-operations/|website=rte.ie|title=Govt to consider change in status to naval operations in Mediterranean|date=14 July 2017|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/concern-as-cabinet-approves-irish-navy-role-in-eu-military-operation-1.3151383|title=Concern as Cabinet approves Irish Navy role in EU military operation|date=11 July 2017|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|issn=0791-5144|location=Dublin|language=en|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=13 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213160331/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/concern-as-cabinet-approves-irish-navy-role-in-eu-military-operation-1.3151383|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/f392a5-minister-kehoe-secures-dail-approval-for-deployment-of-defence-force/|website=gov.ie|publisher=Irish Government|title=Minister Kehoe Secures Dáil Approval For Deployment of Defence Forces To Eu Naval Mission - Operation Sophia|date=12 July 2017|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref>
The Naval Service's participation ended due to a shortage of operational ships as one third of fleet were in refit or maintenance, and there were insufficient numbers of technical and specialist personnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2019/0709/1061087-navy/|website=rte.ie|title=Irish naval vessels will not patrol Mediterranean Sea|date=9 July 2019|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2019-07-09/4/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (Dáil Éireann Debate – Tuesday, 9 July 2019)|date=9 July 2019|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref>

In March 2022, the government announced the purchase of two retired [[Royal New Zealand Navy|RNZN]] inshore patrol vessels.<ref name="gov-march-22">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b679d-announcement-of-the-purchase-of-two-inshore-patrol-vessels-ipvs-from-the-new-zealand-government/|title=Announcement of the purchase of two Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) from the New Zealand Government|publisher=Department of Defence|website=gov.ie|date=13 March 2022|accessdate=14 April 2024}}</ref> The government statement also announced the withdrawal of the LÉ ''Orla'', LÉ ''Ciara'' and LÉ ''Eithne'' from service, which were later decommissioned in July.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-navy-decommission-eithne-orla-ciara-5805258-Jul2022/|website=journal.ie|title=The Naval Service is retiring three ships next week - and one might become a floating museum|date=1 July 2022|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2022/07/08/irish-navy-decommissions-a-third-of-its-fleet/|publisher=Irish Times|website=irishtimes.com|title=Irish Navy decommissions a third of its fleet|date=8 July 2022|accessdate=8 July 2022}}</ref> The loss of LÉ ''Eithne'' represented a serious degradation in the service's operational capability given she was the only ship that was capable of operating a helicopter and had onboard sonar capabilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2024/0305/1436205-le-eithne/|website=rte.ie|title=Irish Naval Service says 'sad goodbye' to LÉ Eithne|date=6 March 2024|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41421892.html|website=irishexaminer.com|title=Irish navy is now at two thirds of its full strength|date=23 June 2024|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref>
The two new inshore patrol vessels, {{ship|LÉ|Aoibhinn|P71|6}} and {{ship|LÉ|Gobnait|P72|6}}, were commissioned into service in September 2024.<ref name="gov-sept-24">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/aaff7-tanaiste-micheal-martin-unveils-new-naval-service-vessels/|title=Tánaiste Micheál Martin unveils new Naval Service vessels and confirms extension of the Sea-going Naval Personnel Tax Credit|publisher=Department of Defence|website=gov.ie|date=4 September 2024|accessdate=4 September 2024}}</ref> Due to their small size, the two ships are intended to be used for fishery protection patrols in the Irish Sea, and based in an east coast base.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://afloat.ie/port-news/navy/item/64265-no-decision-made-on-location-for-new-navy-base-for-26m-ships|website=afloat.ie|title=Defence Forces Have No Decision Made on Location of New East Coast Navy Base for €26m Cutters|date=7 August 2024|accessdate=20 March 2025}}</ref>

==== "Manpower crisis" ====

The decommissioning of three ships did not resolve the growing "manpower crisis" in the Naval Service, as in January 2023 LÉ ''Róisín'' and LÉ ''Niamh'', one third of the fleet, were placed into operational reserve.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2023-02-02/2/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Priority Questions (Dáil Éireann Debate – Thursday, 2 February 2023)|date=2 February 2023|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/navy-ships-tied-up-roisin-niamh-5978870-Jan2023/|website=thejournal.ie|publisher=Journal Media Ltd|title=Two naval ships to be tied up as staffing crisis deepens in Irish Navy|date=25 January 2023|accessdate=29 January 2023|first=Niall|last=O'Connor}}</ref>
Later that year, two additional ships, LÉ ''James Joyce'' and LÉ ''George Bernard Shaw'', were also placed into reserve, leaving only two ships available for patrols.<ref name="irishtimes2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/08/23/naval-service-down-to-two-ships-due-to-manpower-crisis/|publisher=Irish Times|website=irishtimes.com|title=Naval Service left with two ships to patrol Irish waters due to manpower crisis|date=23 August 2023|accessdate=25 August 2023}}</ref>
In July 2024, the Naval Service operated a "three-ship operational posture", with the four P60 class vessels on patrol in operational rotation (two operational and one standby), while the two P50 vessels were under refit or in reserve.<ref name="otherQuestions2024">{{cite web|url = https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2024-07-02/22/ | website = oireachtas.ie | title = Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 2 Jul 2024 - Vol. 1056 No. 6 - Other Questions | date = 2 July 2024 | accessdate = 8 November 2024 | quote = The Naval Service is currently adopting a three-ship operational posture, which sees the four P60 class vessels on patrol in operational rotation [..] In addition [..] the LÉ Róisín is currently in operational reserve while the LÉ Niamh is in the process of completing a mid-life extension programme, after which she will enter operational reserve }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-10-03/126/|publisher=Dáil Éireann Hansard|title=Parliamentary Questions (Naval Service Dáil Éireann Debate – Tuesday, 3 October 2023)|date=3 October 2023|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/only-two-irish-naval-vessels-operational/|website=ukdefencejournal.org.uk|title=Only two Irish Naval vessels operational|date=15 October 2023|accessdate=20 March 2025}}</ref>
In January 2025, due to only having one naval ordnance technician left, the LÉ ''George Bernard Shaw'' had to go to sea with its main armament, OTO Melara 76mm, non-functional.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/01/11/naval-service-goes-to-sea-without-working-guns-as-maritime-threats-mount/|website=irishtimes.com|title=Naval Service goes to sea without working guns as maritime threats mount|date=11 January 2025|accessdate=20 March 2025}}</ref> The reduced operational capability of the Naval Service has meant that the number of patrol days has halved between 2020 and 2024 to 428 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://afloat.ie/port-news/navy/item/66347-number-of-patrol-days-carried-out-by-naval-service-more-than-halved|website=afloat.ie|title=Number of Patrol Days by Naval Service More Than Halved Since 2020|date=17 February 2025|accessdate=20 March 2025}}</ref>