Awards and decorations of the Irish Defence Forces facts for kids

Ireland doesn't have a formal system of awards like some countries, but it does have special awards and medals for its brave soldiers, sailors, and air force members. These awards are given to people serving in the Defence Forces, which is Ireland's military.

Sometimes, members of the Defence Forces also wear medals from international groups. These groups include the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union. These medals are given for serving in peacekeeping missions around the world.

Medals for Irish Soldiers

The Defence Forces give out different kinds of medals. Some are for incredible bravery, others are for long service, and some are for special events or missions.

Medals for Bravery and Great Service

These are some of the most important medals, given for acts of courage and dedication.

Military Medal for Gallantry

This is the highest award for bravery in the Irish Defence Forces. It's given to soldiers who show amazing courage, even when facing great danger. It has three levels:

• With Honour: This is the top level. No one has received this medal yet.
• With Distinction: Six people have received this medal for their brave actions.
• With Merit: Two people have received this medal.

Military Medal for Gallantry with Honour ribbon

Military Medal for Gallantry with Distinction ribbon

Military Medal for Gallantry with Merit ribbon

Distinguished Service Medal

This medal is the second highest award. It's given for acts of bravery, leadership, or great dedication to duty. It's for actions that are very brave but might not be as extreme as those needed for the Military Medal for Gallantry. It also has three levels:

• With Honour
• With Distinction
• With Merit

Distinguished Service Medal with Honour ribbon

Distinguished Service Medal with Distinction ribbon

Distinguished Service Medal with Merit ribbon

Military Star

This special medal is given to soldiers who are killed or badly hurt while serving overseas. This happens when they are hurt by enemy action or hostile forces. It's a way to remember their ultimate sacrifice.

Military Star ribbon

Medals for Service and Good Conduct

These medals recognize soldiers for their time in service and for showing good behavior.

Good Conduct Medal

This medal used to be given to non-commissioned officers (like sergeants) and privates. It recognized their good behavior and excellent service. It was awarded between 1987 and 1990, but it is no longer given out.

Good Conduct Medal ribbon

Service Medal

This medal is for soldiers who have served for a long time.

• Privates and non-commissioned officers get it after 10 years of service.
• Officers receive it after 15 years.
• After 15 years, privates and non-commissioned officers get a special version of the medal.
• Officers get an extra bar on their medal after 20 years of service.

Service Medal ribbon

Service Medal with gold stripe ribbon

Reserve Defence Forces Service Medal

This medal is for members of the Reserve Defence Forces, which is a part-time military force.

• They receive it after 7 years of service.
• After 12 years, they get a medal with a different ribbon and a bar.
• After 21 years, they get a second bar with "21" on it.

Reserve Defence Forces Service Medal ribbon

Reserve Defence Forces Service Medal with gold stripe ribbon

Emergency Service Medal

This medal was created in 1944. It recognized people who served during "The Emergency," which was Ireland's name for World War II. It was given to members of the military and other groups who helped out between 1939 and 1946.

Emergency Service Medal ribbon (Type 1)

Emergency Service Medal ribbon (Type 2)

Medals for Special Missions and Events

These medals are given for specific operations or important historical moments.

United Nations Peacekeepers Medal

This medal is for Irish soldiers who have served overseas on a United Nations mission. These missions help keep peace in different parts of the world. This medal was first given in 1989.

United Nations Peacekeepers Medal ribbon

International Operational Service Medal

This medal is given to members of the Defence Forces who have served overseas on missions where no other specific medal was awarded. For example, it was given for helping with the Ebola crisis in West Africa and for helping with the migrant crisis in Europe.

International Operational Service Medal ribbon

1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal

This medal was awarded in 2016. It recognized all members of the Defence Forces who were serving that year. It celebrated their role in remembering 100 years since the 1916 Easter Rising, a very important event in Irish history.

1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal ribbon

Siege of Jadotville Medal

This special medal was created in 2017. It was given to the brave Irish soldiers who fought in the Siege of Jadotville in 1961. This was a very tough battle during a UN peacekeeping mission in Congo, where a small group of Irish soldiers held off a much larger force.

Siege of Jadotville Medal ribbon

United Nations Medals for Peacekeeping

Irish soldiers often serve in peacekeeping missions for the United Nations. When they do, they can also receive medals directly from the UN. These medals show that they have served in different UN missions around the world. Each mission often has its own specific medal ribbon.

Here are some examples of UN medals Irish soldiers might wear:

• United Nations Medal for UNTSO (Middle East)
• United Nations Medal for UNMOGIP (India and Pakistan)
• United Nations Medal for ONUC (Congo)
• United Nations Medal for UNFICYP (Cyprus)
• United Nations Medal for UNIFIL (Lebanon)
• United Nations Medal for UNPROFOR (Former Yugoslavia)
• United Nations Medal for UNMIL (Liberia)