Irish Defence Forces (Army, Air Corps And Navy) 1975

An insight into the life of a soldier and the training involved in being a member of the Irish Defence Forces.
McKee Barracks on the north side of Dublin city is just one of around forty barracks scattered throughout Ireland. It has been in operation since 1888.
McKee is one of the many ready made military barracks inherited by the army of the new Irish state in 1922. Originally named Marlborough Barracks it was renamed as McKee Barracks in 1926. However, almost no new buildings have been built since then meaning that soldiers continue to reside in bleak dormitories.
There have been around six hundred and fifty new recruits in the last year in response to an advertising campaign that presented the army as “a man’s life”. The army offered a steady job and a steady wage which is a big attraction to many of the new recruits. This new larger army will cost the state forty nine million pounds this year alone.
After a day of training on the range, there are jobs to be done cleaning and maintaining machinery, equipment and weapons.
The Irish army is different from other armies in that it has never fought a war, it is defensive in title and it has no enemies that it admits. The perception of the army as idle has been changed by their participation in peace keeping efforts in the Congo, Cyprus and the Middle East. With this higher profile came a bigger budget and the Department of Defence was no longer considered as,
As Ireland is not a member of NATO, it has no commitments to the defence of Europe. However, Ireland benefits from the fact that if it were attacked, it would not be left to fight alone by its European neighbours.
In 1969, the army played a role in supporting those who crossed from Northern Ireland along the border when the violence erupted in Belfast and Derry.
New recruits undergo parade ground drills at the Curragh and may soon be put to service along the border.
The ratio of officers to men in the army is about 8:1. The chances of moving up the ranks are somewhat higher in the Irish Air Corps which is an integral part of the army. Along with the navy, the Air Corps was often considered the poor relation of the Irish army but recent investment in air and sea services means that the Air Corps now has eight Alouette helicopters that carry out mercy and ambulance missions as well as frequent air sea rescues. The helicopters can be used to carry small groups of men into difficult ground situations
Fishery patrols are carried out by the four ships of the naval service. Naval recruits are trained at the Haulbowline base in Cork Harbour. Some of these new recruits are happy to have a stable source of employment but are less interested in the military side of things.
The principal job of the navy is to protect Ireland’s fisheries. One of the many other functions is to carry out underwater inspections.
This episode of ‘Seven Days’ was broadcast on 6 May 1975. The reporter is Patrick Gallagher.

[@gunner678]

Really interesting, but honestly the accommodation and facilities this side of the channel were much the same well into the 80s; old, cold, damp, dreary victorian monuments. I worked with the Irish Army boys in Kosovo in 99. Great bunch of boys, very professional.

[@sidewindersid4180]

Good post, and an honest reply. Soldiers will always be Soldiers

[@britishprofessor9957]

Yes soldiers are generally badly treated but Ireland is the worse. The government celebrates army days have soldiers standing for hours, fly the flag then the officers go for dinner and the seniors officers and politicians have dinner with the president. The soldiers are ignored and left standing in the rain. The Irish soldiers are lions led by donkeys.

[@888ssss]

When i was in armagh we used to swap compo rations with the idf for stew on the checkpoint. they had brand new american style lightweight boots thats ten times better that ours from the 1960s.

[@EdMcF1]

The narration around the 3 minute mark somehow forgets the unfortunate Civil War when the Free State was formed, and the reason for the Army being essentially the maintenance of the State against internal enemies. The Irish Army has punched above its weight in UN operations.

[@britishprofessor9957]

The Irish independence was the upper class attempt to free Ireland because they envied the British corruption because the didn't get their share. Now they have it all, TD millionairs, corrupt Politicians corrupt police corrupt judges and legal system. Ability to commit violence on their own people. Where is the difference

[@High_rise12]

@@britishprofessor9957 the war of independence was predominantly fought by the middle and lower class.

[@olliephelan]

@@High_rise12 predominantly middle class

[@GerrieCool]

The tanks they used looks very much like the SADF Eland 90 tanks. The SADF was also armed with the FAL (R1) Rifle. The helicopters they used was also used by the SADF

[@Truthbomb918]

They used the aml 60 and 90,later replaced the 60 mortar with a 20 mm cannon. Eland was a licenced produced copy of the same vehicle

[@tommurphy2836]

I wish we still had the AML 90's

[@mikemanners1069]

I don't mean to sound thick but what in the hell were they eating for breakfast?....also it seems like they got one little plate of food....almost like a child's portion.....

[@walboyfredo6025]

@@mikemanners1069 Scrambled egg

[@mikemanners1069]

@@walboyfredo6025 I thought that is what it was but it looked off...

[@britishprofessor9957]

What about overtime pay ALM 90 don't pay the bills

[@dibble2005]

Very Interesting. Raises a lot of questions though about the purposes of the defence forces and the modernisation of equipment and of course Nato.

[@GIJoeProductions]

Nice rare footage

[@503WE]

Obrigado #KZbin gosto desse tipo de vídeo da velha escola.

[@Lem_in]

The only thing that's changed is the men, the equipment is still the same.

[@caolanoreilly6059]

No it’s not

[@Lem_in]

@@caolanoreilly6059 Sure it is, the government puts fuck all into out defence most of the army is using equipment from the 60' and 70's, even the pays worse

[@donallbreathnach9998]

@@Lem_in spoken like someone that has absolutely no clue about the Irish defence forces.

[@Lem_in]

@@donallbreathnach9998 Our best vehicles our the mowags which have been rusting for 20 years now, we used to have fighters in the aer corp, now just two trainer aircraft the navy is the only thing that's improved and the pay has become appalling

[@tommieogrady]

And the money is the same, poorly paid nowadays

[@itxfonzzy]

49 mil poundle spent on the army back then and basically nothing now

[@beaglaoich4418]

That’s not remotely true. Ireland’s Defence budget has exceeded €1billion for 3 years now, adjusting for inflation, given Punt was exchanged pound for pound with the Pound that’s approx. €500million. Which given that the only function of our defence forces is defence (in the unlikely scenario of war) search and rescue and peacekeeping missions for a neutral country is enough to be spending on the Defence Forces. Consider 1975 given the bloodiest years of the Troubles, with the deadliest attack in the history of the State the previous year that was a paltry budget compared to the modern Defence Forces

[@alanburke1893]

@@beaglaoich4418 Excellent

[@gunner678]

@@beaglaoich4418 excellent response

[@beaglaoich4418]

@@alanburke1893 thank you Alan! Appreciate the kind words, a rarity on a comments section!!!

[@beaglaoich4418]

@@gunner678 thank you Matthew, nice to have sound people that follow threads

[@petercummins8145]

Some things have changed and somethings haven't, still the same

[@raysmyth8596]

A very different force from the current day, check out the lack of haircuts, even amongst the Officers.

[@EdMcF1]

Not many haircuts going this last year.

[@britishprofessor9957]

Grow up. Talk about poor conditions and pay.

[@wilsondb100]

Love you Ireland, love from 🇬🇧

[@eoindee7007]

Thank you from Ireland 🇮🇪 🙏 Old reservist soldier here 😊👍

[@precision2190]

@@eoindee7007 thank you for your service

[@chopchung]

@4:27.."there maybe a tenuous (Sr.) assumpta ! , that should the Republic be attacked from outside of the Island we would not be left to fight alone". I think THAT assumpta has carried MASSIVE weight in ALL Irish governments since the Republic's birth, certainly when it comes to finance.

[@jacknelson8601]

Only a fool would question the bravery of Irish soldiers! Damn, they have fought in just about every war (often facing each other in battle as in the U.S. civil war), but if Zimbabwe decided to invade Ireland the damned British would be the ones to stop them.....not the tiny Irish military! No modern fighter aircraft, tanks, or naval vessels.🌴🍀

[@brendanmurray8227]

Some things I note. The Training and Morale of the Irish Defence Forces improved after that video was made. I can vouch for this as I played my part as an instructor at the Command Training Depot (East) which now, like myself is part of history. I cannot say if those standards are still the same. (Its a military secret, anyway). I trust that those high standards have been maintained. The commentator remarks on the soldiers living in a cold barracks. Get use to it, says I. You don't fight a war living in a 5-star hotel. That was a joke, of course. Adequate living conditions are essential for good morale. But try living in a hole in the ground in the Wicklow Mountains -- Where it was so cold that my laces froze over-night after I had taken my boots off when it was my turn to rest! -The commentator also remarks that the Irish Army has never fought a war. That is not correct. Subversive extremist paramilitary assortments were and still are a threat to our Country, our people and our Democracy. And yes, I know that may be controversial to some people. But I lived through those years and I will never accept Sinn Féin revision of History propaganda. Of course, you may disagree and I say "It's a free country" But don't take that for granted. It may not always be!

[@britishprofessor9957]

Full of crap. The Irish army is a slavery. Poor pay, poor food,poor accommodation, poor uniforms. Plenty of overtime no overtime pay. Garda gets 2000 euro for 2 week on border I got 50euro.now there is reality. Ps treating officers as God's.

[@britishprofessor9957]

@Answer Questions God bless the truth👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Coughlan1916]

What exactly is the Sinn Fein revision of history?

[@padraig6200]

Sinn Féin revision of history? Do you prefer to think of your time in the army as some sort of positive contribution to the Irish people? While you lot sat on your hole in Ballinamore and Ballybofey there were plenty of Irishmen who answered the call for help sounded out by the Catholic people of the north and they paid with their lives in the hills of Dunloy, the narrow roads of drumnakilly and the foggy streets of Loughgall. A free country my hole, a housing and homeless crisis, hospitals on the brink, the army in squalor, diplock courts used to try criminals, scandal after scandal suppressed and ignored and the rich scumbags of FF and FG just keep getting richer. I salute my fallen comrades, we will never forget their sacrfice mar fuair síad bás ar son saoirse na hÉireann.

[@Clarence942]

Just your laces froze! You had it easy 😂

[@andyjames9451]

The bravery and tenacity of the Irish fighting man is beyond doubt, I served in Afghanistan alongside Irish lads from the Republic who had joined the British army.

[@alanburke1893]

The Irish 'Army' is, was and probably always will be a 'Gendarmarie'... excellent individuals at times (Col. Dan Bryan, Ranger Wing etc. etc.) but not capable of warfighting on a sustained basis above the company level. The policy of requiring recruitment from the church-run borstals is typical of Governmental disdain for the Defence matters. Worst were those ministers who treated the forces as a plaything to burnish their constituency credentials. Also, the Defence Dept. was historically a repository of failed (often alcoholic) civil servants who needed to be kept away from 'serious' responsibilities. That the Forces remained competent was often due solely to an individual's dedication, in spite of public neglect.

[@vanpallandt5799]

thats an interesting point - was that a policy - recruiting from borstals - until when. I think at least recently in UK it went other way, when in police dealt with people who were about to join and were worried about a conviction stopping them joining

[@alanburke1893]

@@vanpallandt5799 St. Patrick's institution closed in 2017 and 11 17-year olds were recruited, 9 were discharged within 6 weeks, none were serving by 2019. In every barracks there were a few borstal boys. Would spend a couple of decades performing menial tasks, totally institutionalised and often facing homelessness on discharge. On a much larger scale something similar happened in USSR when Khruschev reduced the number of gulags. Thousands released had to be employed somewhere (it being a 'Socialist Utopia')... the Red Army never recovered from the mass influx.

[@vanpallandt5799]

@@alanburke1893 interesting - i think the topic of the make up of armies is fascinating - my particular field of interest is latinos in other armies - Qatar, UAE...and apparently a lot in the Spanish Foreign Legion as many young Spaniards had little interest *at least pre the economic recession of Covid, in serving. So told that plenty of Colombians, Venezuelans, Dom Rep etc

[@kasimsultonfan]

@@vanpallandt5799 quite so. In the Falklands, Argentinean infantry units were made up of conscripts from the barrios of Buenos Aires and other big cities, whereas the Air Force was manned by middle class cadres. Very much a class distinction. Argentinean infantry units that distinguished themselves in the hill battles west of Stanley were disproportionately represented by regiments that traditionally drew recruits from some very tough neighbourhoods.

[@Katuzzi]

@@vanpallandt5799 As a venezuelan myself, the armed forces might seem well on paper, but in reality they are extremely corrupt and poorly led. It's not easy for the regular soldier, bad conditions and bad infrastructure. For the officers is all good as long as you are completely in line with the government's politics and their corruption network. For example, in the air forces, specifically in the dragoon's squadron (Sukhois 30) all pilots get there from political connections

[@danielw5850]

Wow, these barracks are filthy!

[@britishprofessor9957]

If prisoners were put into that accommodation the UN would get involved. Not good enough to put prisoners in spike Ireland but OK for soldiers

[@olliephelan]

is that mick curtis at 5:14 ?

[@greycatturtle7132]

Cool

[@HemlockRidge]

What the heck were those helmets? They looked Soviet Block-ish.

[@Neddyfram]

british turtle helmets

[@MrRebelbell]

Spent 21 years in the navy recognize 2 of faces in the clip.

[@mikemanners1069]

I just want to say that that at 1:40 that small, minuscule breakfast plate is woefully inadequate to feed a soldier starting his day.....Gandhi ate more than what they are serving for breakfast.....WTF??

[@yabastardya9988]

Interesting that a new recruit of the Irish Naval service or Army earns the same weekly income as someone stacking shelves in a supermarket 2021 🤔

[@scarletcrusade77]

Is this true really??

[@precision2190]

@@scarletcrusade77 it is

[@JoinMeInDeathBaby]

Liberal-run country.

[@LiamHickey2967]

What's with the narrators voice he sounds like he wants to sound English and then Irish will makes a weird accent.

[@LiamHickey2967]

@Larry O'Connor yeah but the Irish upper and middle class still sound different to the working class, an example is the more modern south dublin accent.

[@ciaranbrk]

To get a job in Irish journalism and RTÉ you had to sound British when speaking in the 60s and 70s you need to be posh.

[@LiamHickey2967]

@@ciaranbrk okay makes sense when you think about the times thank you for the information

[@vanpallandt5799]

@@ciaranbrk i would say that the Trinity ppl i have met still sound quite posh

[@paulcronin3626]

West brit.

[@KhanKubratDulo]

I am going to Join in naval service in October 👍

[@KhanKubratDulo]

Ulster TBF they accept foreigners only if they was in the UK at least 3 years or be in commonwealth list which my country is not

[@Brecconable]

@@KhanKubratDulo The Irish can be accepted into the British Armed Forces along with Britons and Commonwealth Subjects, although certain branches (like the Submarine Service) recruit British Subjects only.

[@KhanKubratDulo]

Brecconable I am not Irish bro

[@Lem_in]

@@Brecconable "British subjects"? Ireland is independent for 98 years and a republic for 83

[@nspr9721]

All good luck to you and wishing you the best.

[@DavidSmith-jb6wg]

Didn't give Air Corps and Naval Service much coverage..what's new..

[@Truthbomb918]

Isn't much to them unfortunately

[@alp6319]

Лично мне трудно отличить было ирландскую армию от британской. Это видео помогло. Но общего очень много из-за исторической близости.

[@dylanhoare8203]

A good army ture time never really need numbers or the big guns all you need is brains

[@haydoncooper3744]

Wicked haircuts back then.

[@jamesgavin9665]

THE COOKS BILLY MARSH AND JOE MCMANUS

[@johnhuntmorgan142]

What were they serving for breakfast....the only thing I recognized was some sort of beans

[@NaCreagachaDubha]

They should be arrested for war crimes serving up that slop 🤣🤣

[@solowingpixy8190]

The Narrator is a tad clueless.

[@britishprofessor9957]

I served that time. The pay was slave standard and they didn't get paid, accommodation was concentration camp standard, food was so bad, food poison was standard, human right were nil. The army has not changed same applies. Modern day slavery.. Don't join or become a slave. 70 hours work, pay 40 hours. No overtime pay.

[@residentevil8893]

Thats y im joining the British army

[@Katmando376]

Mon cœur et mon âme seront à jamais liés à la Légion étrangère. Legio Patria Nostra

[@liamcleary3704]

I remember the BS he was in the officers mess McKee barracks quite a nice guy , also the pay sergeant he was always bit of a weird one liked the young ones i think...

[@jasbarsoph]

It shows how vulnerable we are, The British could take the country in a few hours no disrespect to our lads in the defence forces.

[@jacktanner4948]

I mean this was made almost half a century ago...

[@jasbarsoph]

@@jacktanner4948 yes that’s correct, And the Irish Defence forces are still operating like world war 2.

[@boldgambit7896]

Ireland could not afford a force sufficient to defeat a British Invasion. Instead it choose to build a force that would make it costly for Britain to do so without undermining their commitment to NATO. It was absolutely sufficient for this task. For its secondary task of detering a Soviet airborne or amphibious invasion it was absolutely inadequate. For the Soviets to be in a position to invade Ireland either NATO would have to have suffered a total defeat or be sufficiently weakened that Soviet conquest of the neutral powers could not be challenged. Either way that meant that no help would be coming for Ireland.

[@paulcronin3626]

Wouldn't be able to hold it though.

[@merlinonline67]

@@boldgambit7896 Bit of a weird statement, why an earth would the UK invade Ireland?

[@1935rmb]

Did you know that Irish President De Valera sent condolences to Germany in April, 1945, upon hearing of the death of Adolf Hitler? True.

[@Zackislivid]

Yes, it's history, if it isn't taught, then it will repeat it's self.

[@1935rmb]

@Citizen Smith dontcha just love the Irish and their love affair with their dear friend, Adolf? So cute!

[@josephstewart516]

What about honourable role Britain, did in India in ww2, millions died, no war crimes trial for churchill there!

[@1935rmb]

@@josephstewart516 We are talking Irish condolences to Germany upon death of Hitler sent on behalf of Irish people. Yuck, no?

[@paulcronin3626]

Unionist troll,do Ireland a favour, go back to your "homeland ".

[@haydoncooper3744]

Paid in cash back then blimey takes me back.

[@tomsoki5738]

I don’t really get the point, the British or Soviet forces could’ve taken Ireland in a few hours. The defence force would have just added more casualties for soldiers and civilians

[@Fyrdman]

Ireland would have essentially backed the USSR

[@JoinMeInDeathBaby]

Professional army is a basis for big conscript army. You need the core of trained man to lead 400000 potential conscrips/millitiamen.

[@Truthbomb918]

We don't have foreign superpower enemies maybe

[@tomsoki5738]

@Gate-of-Dawn In a large conventional war, there would be no regard for discerning who are civilians and who are cowardly IRA dressed as civilians. A conventional invasion couldn’t be stopped. You know nothing about warfare.

[@nursedaniel72]

Mmmmmm Irish Sailors ❤❤

[@domenicocamplisson8738]

This is about the Irish army, not Brits

[@johnmurphy653]

Snide sarcastic and uninformed,

[@Zackislivid]

When ireland had jet fighters, when ireland was at it's good times.

[@Zackislivid]

@Ted Bundy Was it? Hmm I must be stupid.

[@Zackislivid]

@Ted Bundy Ok I get it.

[@kbonh22]

Only thing better about the army nowadays are the uniforms and haircuts.

[@Truthbomb918]

Never served obviously

[@kbonh22]

@@Truthbomb918 Currently serving actually 👍

[@Truthbomb918]

@@kbonh22 you're ignorant so obviously

[@kbonh22]

@Gate-of-Dawn The indoctrination has already begun

[@britishprofessor9957]

Modern day slavery😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰Poor pay, poor accommodation, poor food, poor pension. 8k euro on retirement prisoner get 20k, .plenty of overtime 70hour week no overtime pay

[@samrajsingh6522]

God bless the commonwealth and its paymasters.

[@Mishima505]

0:10 GET YOUR FLAMING HAIR CUT PADDY!!

[@greglyons2526]

Ever in south Armagh?

[@rajivmurkejee7498]

This is just an Army for show - for formal occasions and so called peace keeping Plenty of Irish still join the British Army as they want to be part of a real army

[@brendanmurray8227]

Yes, a REAL army firing live rounds at unarmed civilians. Yet, the Bloody Sunday and Ballymurphy British Army war crimes have gone unpunished.

[@Zackislivid]

@@brendanmurray8227 Nope, bloody sunday 2 soilders we're convicted and exiled and sentenced to life. Anyways, all armys have commited war crimes, Must not be forgoten.

[@steveforster9764]

@@brendanmurray8227 So why do so many Southern Irish join this monstrous British army? asking as A Canadian.

[@FannyShmellar]

Brendan Murray War isn’t pretty my friend, they fought in tough circumstances where they didn’t know who the enemy was. The enemy were cowardly and often shot them in the back and ran off. Fact is there are thousands of southern Irish serving in the British Army, and bloody good soldiers they make too.

[@conlaiarla]

@@steveforster9764 They don't. Numbers are miniscule. More Irish I the French Foreign legion than in any other foreign forces.

[@Katmando376]

Get your haircut!

[@paulmacdonnell6203]

it seems that army was better equipped than the current army ,the current army is an embarrassment to Ireland a complete joke ,completely dependent on the Brits to defend it's airspace .

[@chopchung]

@3:24"Britain was our traditional ENEMY". That word is a very hard one.Given that SO MANY Irish come over here and have ALWAYS come over throughout the centuries before the Republic and the century since the Republic, we can't be THAT bad, surely?.I think we two nations understand each other FAR better than some politically minded people might like.There are lord knows how many English that have been fathered or mothered or BOTH by Irishmen and women so WHY would so many consider Ireland the "Enemy"?. THEY DON'T and by and large neither do their non Irish compatriots. NOTE: slum conditions for the Irish rank and file BUT...@1:15 "luxury hostel for Officer cadets". MEET THE NEW BOSS....SAME AS THE OLD BOSS! (c)1971 Pete Townshend!.

[@thedangler1754]

Be Jesus!

[@VaucluseVanguard]

Allowing for inflation, the Army's budget is about twice that of 1975; but the country is four times richer. Still, with a united Ireland on the horizon with 900,000 unionists, there will be more people in Ireland as a proportion of population willing to use violence not to be part of Ireland than there ever was prepared to be violent not to be part of Britain. As the EU will never allow a UN peacekeeping force on it territory, the province of Ireland will have to accept conscripts from the Provinces of Lithuania, Estonia and Scotland to patrol Londonderry and East Belfast.

[@FannyShmellar]

How could Ireland conscript British troops?

[@NaCreagachaDubha]

Weirdest take ever, mate

[@mgDuckyyy]

Scotland? Scotland is in the UK and if it ever gets independence, It's economy is in so much of a deficit that it won't be allowed to enter the EU as it will be one of the main drains.

[@christopherdempsey9864]

Derry

[@britishprofessor9957]

No person should fight for Ireland because you would be giving up you life for corruption, corrupt millionairs TD, corrupt judges and police. Give the blue rats Gardai gun they can fight for Ireland.

[@theoriginaltylerdurden]

What were the grooming standards for these men. They all look like hippies who just crawled out of bed.

[@philipsimpson5203]

The Irish use nerf guns and water bombs, plastic helmets and bows and arrows.

[@paulcronin3626]

It was enough to kick ye bastards out of most of the country. Six counties, unfinished business.

[@Drifty40]

@@paulcronin3626 Stick to American politics kiddo !

[@MrDastardly]

A tantrum?