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3rd Infantry Battalion (Ireland)
Encyclopedia
The 3 Infantry Battalion is a unit of the Irish Army
infantry corps. The battalion traces its history back to 1923, when the garrisons of several towns in the north-west of Ireland
(the province of Ulster
) were ordered to amalgamate and form the 3 Infantry Battalion. The 3 Battalion was one of five in the regular army at the outbreak of World War II, when it was moved into the newly formed 5 Brigade, along with the 16 and 25 Infantry Battalions. In 1998, the battalion was amalgamated with the 30 Infantry Battalion. Personnel from the battalion have seen service all over the world as part of Irish peacekeeping
contingents, both within and outside the structure of the United Nations. Today, the battalion forms part of 1 Southern Brigade, contributing soldiers not only for the defence and security of the Republic of Ireland
, but also for deployment overseas. Most recently, the battalion contributed to the formation of the 95 Infantry Battalion, made up of personnel from 1 Southern Brigade, which deployed as part of the UNMIL mission to Liberia
. The battalion is stationed at James Stephens
Barracks in Kilkenny
; B Company is located at the Defence Forces Training Centre at The Curragh
, where it serves as the training and maintenance unit for the army's Mowag Piranha
AFV.
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
infantry corps. The battalion traces its history back to 1923, when the garrisons of several towns in the north-west of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
(the province of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
) were ordered to amalgamate and form the 3 Infantry Battalion. The 3 Battalion was one of five in the regular army at the outbreak of World War II, when it was moved into the newly formed 5 Brigade, along with the 16 and 25 Infantry Battalions. In 1998, the battalion was amalgamated with the 30 Infantry Battalion. Personnel from the battalion have seen service all over the world as part of Irish peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
contingents, both within and outside the structure of the United Nations. Today, the battalion forms part of 1 Southern Brigade, contributing soldiers not only for the defence and security of the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, but also for deployment overseas. Most recently, the battalion contributed to the formation of the 95 Infantry Battalion, made up of personnel from 1 Southern Brigade, which deployed as part of the UNMIL mission to Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
. The battalion is stationed at James Stephens
James Stephens
James Stephens may refer to:*James Stephens , 17th century MP for Gloucester*James Stephen , English lawyer associated with the abolition of slavery* James B...
Barracks in Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
; B Company is located at the Defence Forces Training Centre at The Curragh
Curragh Camp
The Curragh Camp is an army base and military college located in The Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland. It is the main training centre for the Irish Army.- Brief history of the Curragh's military heritage :...
, where it serves as the training and maintenance unit for the army's Mowag Piranha
Mowag Piranha
The MOWAG Piranha is a family of armoured fighting vehicles designed by the Swiss MOWAG , corporation....
AFV.