Long Éireannach
Encyclopedia
is the designation given to ships
in the Irish Naval Service
Fleet. In this context it is abbreviated to LÉ, as in LÉ Eithne
or LÉ Deirdre
.
It has been used since December 1946 when Irish Naval Service was established with purchase of 3 corvette
s from the Royal Navy
.
Ship prefix
A ship prefix is a combination of letters, usually abbreviations, used in front of the name of a civilian or naval ship.Prefixes for civilian vessels may either identify the type of propulsion, such as "SS" for steamship, or purpose, such as "RV" for research vessel. Civilian prefixes are often...
in the Irish Naval Service
Irish Naval Service
The Naval Service is the navy of Ireland and is one of the three standing branches of the Irish Defence Forces. Its main base is in Haulbowline, County Cork....
Fleet. In this context it is abbreviated to LÉ, as in LÉ Eithne
LÉ Eithne (P31)
LÉ Eithne is an Eithne class ship in the Irish Naval Service. The ship is named after Eithne, a tragic heroine and the daughter of the one-eyed Fomorian King, Balor in an early Irish romantic tale....
or LÉ Deirdre
LÉ Deirdre (P20)
LÉ Deirdre was a ship in the Irish Naval Service. She was named after Deirdre, a tragic heroine from Irish mythology who committed suicide after her lover's murder....
.
It has been used since December 1946 when Irish Naval Service was established with purchase of 3 corvette
Corvette
A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role...
s from the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
.