List of Irish state vessels

This list identifies active and former maritime vessels of the Irish state, both civilian and military. This list is incomplete.

Active

Irish Naval Service

Main article: Irish Naval Service
Name Image Type No. Comm. Displacement Length Notes
Patrol vessels
LÉ Samuel Beckett Samuel Beckett-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) P61 2014 2,256 t 90 m Three P60s on operational rotation as of November 2025[1]
LÉ James Joyce P62 2015
LÉ William Butler Yeats P63 2016
LÉ George Bernard Shaw P64 2019[2]
LÉ Róisín Róisín-class large patrol vessel (LPV) P51 1999 1,500 t 78.84 m In reserve as of November 2025.[1]
LÉ Niamh P52 2001
LÉ Aoibhinn Lake-class inshore patrol vessel (IPV) P71 2024[3] 340 t 55 m Operational as of November 2025 in rotation with P60s[1]
LÉ Gobnait P72 2024[3] Not operational
Main article: Irish Naval Service Reserve
Name Image Type No. Entered service Displacement Length Notes
Motor launches
Fionnghuala Cygnus Typhoon motor launch[4] YP01 2024[5][6] 30 t 14 m Used for training, port security, and coastal patrol. Manned by a crew of four. Fitted for two 7.62mm GPMG.

Three more on order; Due to be named Aodh, Conn, and Fiachra. [7][8][9]

Garda Water Unit

Main article: Garda Water Unit
Quantity Type Commissioned
1 Arvor 250 Inland Patrol Boat 2007
1 Targa 31 Colm na Cora Inland Patrol Boat[10] 2000
1 Osprey Rigid Inflatable Boat 1996
3 Delta Inflatable Boat 2007
1 Zodiac Inflatable Boat 1999
3 Zodiac Inflatable Boat 2013
5 Other inflatable boats 2009–2011[11]

Revenue Commissioners

Main article: Revenue Commissioners
Name Image Type Entered service Displacement Length Notes
RCC Suirbhéir[12] Customs cutter 2004 50 t 23.6 m
RCC Faire[13] 2009
RCC Cosaint[14] 2025 35 m To replace Suirbhéir

Marine Institute

Main article: Marine Institute Ireland
Name Image Type Entered service Displacement Length Notes
RV Tom Crean[15] Multi-purpose research vessel 2022 52.8 m Designed by Skipsteknisk AS, and built by Astilleros Armon Vigo S.A.
RV Celtic Explorer[16] Multi-purpose research vessel 2003 2,425 GT[17] 65.5 m
Dulra na Mara[18] Inshore research vessel 15.1 GT 12.3 m

Geological Survey of Ireland

Main article: Geological Survey of Ireland
Name Image Type Entered service Displacement Length Notes
RV Keary[19][20] Near-shore hydrographic survey vessel 2009 36 t 15.5 m Built by Veecraft Marine, South Africa
RV Geo[19][21] Shallow water survey vessel 2007 7.4 m Redbay Stormforce RIB
RV Tonn[19][22] Shallow water survey vessel 2015 7.9 m Cheetah Catamaran
RV Mallet[19][23] Inshore hydrographic research vessel 18 m
RV Lir[19][24] Shallow water survey vessel 11 m Redbay Stormforce RIB
RV Galtee[19][25] Shallow water survey vessel

Commissioners of Irish Lights

Main article: Commissioners of Irish Lights
Name Image Type Entered service Displacement Length Notes
ILV Granuaile III[26] Multipurpose support vessel 2000 3903 t[27] 80 m

Dublin Fire Brigade

Main article: Dublin Fire Brigade
Name Image Type Entered service Length Notes
Rescue One[28] Redbay Stormforce RIB 2022 7.4 m Search and rescue

Dublin Port

Main article: Dublin Port
Name Image Type Entered service Displacement Length Notes
Shackleton[29] Harbour tug 2010 284 GT 24 m Built by Astilleros Zamakona[30]
Beaufort[31]
Camac[32][33] Pilot boat 2007 16.5 lightship tons 13.4 m Safehaven Marine Interceptor 42[34]
Liffey[32][33] 2008
Tolka[35] 2019 22 lightship tons 17.1 m Goodchild Marine ORC 171[36]
Dodder[33] 2022

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Main article: Inland Fisheries Ireland
Name Image Type Entered service Length Notes
Delta 1 - 12 [37][38][39] Delta 780HX RIB 2018 7.8 m Fishery protection of rivers, lakes and coastal waters

Dublin City Council

Main article: Dublin City Council
Name Image Type Entered service Displacement Length Notes
Jeanie Johnston[40] Three-masted barque 2002 518 t 47 m A museum ship replica of the original 1847 ship. Docked at Custom House Quay[40]

Former

Irish Naval Service

Main article: Irish Naval Service

The following vessels have served with the Naval Service:[41][42][43]

Name Image Type No. Service years Fate Notes
LÉ Macha Flower-class corvette 01 1946–1970 Sold for scrap in 1970 Former HMS Borage
LÉ Maev 02 1946–1972 Scrapped in 1972 Former HMS Oxlip
LÉ Cliona 03 1947–1970 Sold for scrap in 1970 Former HMS Bellwort
LÉ Grainne Ton-class minesweeper CM10 1971–1987 Sold for scrap in 1987 Former HMS Oulston
LÉ Banba CM11 1971–1984 Sold for scrap in 1984 Former HMS Alverton
LÉ Fola CM12 1971–1987 Sold to a Spanish company for scrap in 1987 Former HMS Blaxton
LÉ Deirdre Offshore patrol vessel P20 1972–2001 Scrapped in 2014 Prototype of the P20 class
LÉ Setanta Auxiliary ship A15 1976–1984 Sold for scrap in 1984 Former Irish Lights vessel Isolde
LÉ Ferdia Patrol vessel A16 1977–1978 Chartered for one year Former MFV Helen Basse
LÉ Emer Emer-class offshore patrol vessel[44] P21 1978–2013 Acquired by Nigerian Navy in 2015 Modified version of LÉ Deirdre. Renamed NNS Prosperity
LÉ Aoife P22 1979–2015 Donated to Maltese Navy in 2015 Modified version of LÉ Deirdre. Renamed P62 by Maltese
LÉ Aisling P23 1980–2016 Acquired by Libyan National Army in 2018 Modified version of LÉ Deirdre. Renamed Al-Karama
LÉ Eithne Helicopter patrol vessel[45] P31 1984–2022 Scrapped in 2024 Equipped with helicopter hangar and deck
LÉ Orla Peacock-class coastal patrol vessel[46] P41 1989–2022 Scrapped in 2024 Former HMS Swift
LÉ Ciara P42 1989–2022 Scrapped in 2024 Former HMS Swallow

Marine and Coastwatching Service

Main article: Marine and Coastwatching Service

The Marine and Coastwatching Service was a naval service that operated during The Emergency. In 1946, the service was integrated into the Defence Forces as the Naval Service and these ships were sold off.[47][48][49]

Name Image Type Service years Fate Notes
PV Muirchú Patrol vessel 1939–1947 Sold in January 1947 for scrap, but sank off Saltee Islands in May. Launched in 1908 and served the Irish Free State from 1923 as an unarmed fisheries protection vessel. Later armed with a 12-pounder gun.
SS Fort Rannoch[50] Armed trawler 1939–1947 Sold in July 1947 to commercial service, and scrapped in 1963. Leased by Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in 1937 for fisheries protection. Later armed with a 12-pounder gun.
SS Shark Minelayer 1940–1948 Sold in 1948 and scrapped in 1952. Built in 1891 as trawler, and later a salvage vessel.
Isallt Sail training 1940–1945 Sold in 1945 and sank off Wicklow in December 1947. A wooden three-masted schooner built in Wales in 1909.
M1 Motor Torpedo Boat 1940–1948 Sold between 1948–1950 to Colonel James Fitzmaurice M1 and M2 were originally built for Estonia and Latvia respectively. Built by Thornycroft, they were 72 feet in length, displaced 32 tons, a crew of ten, and powered by Isotta-Fraschini engines giving a top speed of 40 knots. They were armed with two 18-inch torpedoes, a 0.303-inch Hotchkiss machine gun, and two depth charges.

M4, M5, and M6 were slightly larger, powered by Rolls Royce engines with a lower speed of 28 knots, and replaced the Hotchkiss with a 20 mm Madsen cannon. Their small size meant that these boats were not suited to Atlantic waters.[51][52]

M2 1940–1948
M3 1940–1948
M4 1942–1948
M5 1942–1948
M6 1943–1948

Coastal and Marine Service

Main article: Coastal and Marine Service

The Coastal and Marine Service was a short-lived naval service that operated during The Irish Civil War. The Service was disbanded in March 1924 after only several months of existence, and all of its ships, except Muirchú, were sold off.[47][49][53][54][55][56][57]

Name Image Type Notes
SS Dainty Salvage tug/Patrol sloop STOIC-class tug built in Chepstow in 1918 for the Admiralty. She had a length of 142 feet, displaced 459 GRT, and armed with a 12-pounder gun.

Sold to French interests, renamed SS Cherbourgeois.[58]

PV Muirchú Patrol vessel Launched in 1908 as HMY Helga (Pendant No 064). Armed with a 12-pounder gun.

Disarmed and transferred to Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for fisheries protection.

John Dunn (Adty No 3741) Mersey-class trawler The Mersey trawlers were a class of over 100 naval trawlers built for the Royal Navy during World War I.

The trawlers were 148 feet in length, displaced 438 long tons, a crew of 15, a speed of 11 knots, and armed with a 12-pounder gun.

John Dutton (Adty No 3739)
William Honnor (Adty No 3796)
Robert Murray (Adty No 4256)
Thomas Thresher (Adty No 3572)
Christopher Dixon (Adty No 3563)
TR.24 TR series trawler The TR trawlers were a Canadian version of the Castle-class trawler built by Canadian Vickers, Montreal during World War I.

The trawlers were 133 feet 10 inches in length, displaced 275 long tons, a crew of 15, a speed of 10 knots, and armed with a 12-pounder gun.

TR.25
TR.27
TR.29
TR.30
TR.31
Inishirrer (Official No. 135637) Drifter Built in Arklow in 1913, she was 65 feet in length and was assessed at 51 GRT.[59][60]

Acquired from Congested Districts Board in August 1922. Armed with machine guns

John S Summers

(Official No 125960) (Admiralty No 2147)[61]

Built in Lowestoft in 1910, she was 77 feet length and assessed at 62 GRT.[62]

Was hired by Royal Navy as a net vessel during World War I.[63] Armed with machine guns

ML1 Motor Launch Four ELCO motor launches were acquired in May 1922 for the Marine Investigations Department.

ML2 sank off Cornwall in July 1922 while being delivered. The launches were 80 feet in length, with a displacement of 37 long tons, a crew of 8, a speed of 19 knots, and armed with a 3-pounder gun.[64]

ML2
ML3
ML4
190 Steam pinnace A pinnace is a type of ship's boat.

They were 50 feet in length, displaced 14.4 long tons, a speed of 12 knots, and armed with machine guns.[65]

199

There were also five unnamed patrol boats of unknown type used for river patrol.

Marine Institute

Main article: Marine Institute Ireland
Name Image Type Service years Displacement Length Notes
RV Lough Beltra[66] Fishing trawler/research vessel 1976–1997[67] 21 m
RV Celtic Voyager[68] Multi-purpose research vessel 1997–2022[69] 340 t[70] 31.4 m

Coiste an Asgard

Name Image Type Service years Displacement Length Notes
Asgard II[71] Brigantine 1981–2008 26.6 m Was used for sail training

Sunk in Bay of Biscay[72]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Dáil Éireann debate - Thursday, 6 Nov 2025 - Vol. 1074 No. 7 - Priority Questions". oireachtas.ie. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025. Four of the vessels are regularly deployed [..] These four vessels are the three P60 class vessels and the LÉ Aoibhinn, which is a P71. All four vessels conduct patrols on a rotation basis
  2. ^ McDermott, Stephen (30 April 2019). "Ireland's fourth offshore patrol vessel, the LÉ George Bernard Shaw, has been officially commissioned". TheJournal.ie. Dublin. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Two inshore patrol vessels commissioned in Haulbowline". RTÉ News. 4 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Cygnus Typhoon 33ft - 46ft". cygnusboats.com. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  5. ^ "New Irish Navy vessel launches in Co Kerry". rte.ie. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  6. ^ "FM Marine Services Announces the Launch of the Naval Vessel Fionnghuala, Built for the Irish Naval Service Reserve". marine-ireland.ie. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  7. ^ Gallagher, Conor (19 April 2021). "Naval Service to acquire four new boats over coming years". Irish Times. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  8. ^ "Naval Service Reserve Vessel Fionnghuala Launched Off Kerry's Valentia Island". afloat.ie. Afloat Magazine. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  9. ^ Cdr Phil Dicker (July 2025). "Naval Service Reserve Operationalising Ambitions". An Cosantóir. The Military Archives. p. 13. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  10. ^ "Gardai to keep the peace afloat on Shannon". Irish Times. 18 May 2000. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  11. ^ "Dail Debates - Garda Equipment". Oireachtas.ie. 6 October 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  12. ^ "Custom-built craft to be used by Revenue". Irish Times. 29 June 2004. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  13. ^ "New Customs Cutter Named in Howth". afloat.ie. 17 October 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  14. ^ "New €9m Customs vessel arrives in Cork and will begin anti-smuggling missions in coming weeks". thejournal.ie. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Tom Crean". marine.ie.
  16. ^ "Celtic Explorer". marine.ie. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  17. ^ "Celtic Explorer.pdf" (PDF). marine.ie. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  18. ^ "Dulra na Mara". marine.ie. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d e f "Vessels". Geological Survey of Ireland. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  20. ^ "RV Keary". Infomar. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  21. ^ "RV Geo". Infomar. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  22. ^ "RV Tonn". Infomar. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  23. ^ "RV Mallet". Infomar. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  24. ^ "RV Lir". Infomar. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  25. ^ "RV Galtee". Infomar. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  26. ^ "ILV Granuaile". Commissioners of Irish Lights. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  27. ^ "Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) Multi-Purpose Support Vessel Granuaile". European Border and Coast Guard. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  28. ^ "VESSEL REVIEW | Dublin Fire Brigade Rescue One – Versatile response RIB for Irish waters". bairdmaritime. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  29. ^ "SHACKLETON, IMO 9558854". balticshipping.com. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  30. ^ "Voith Tractor Tug" (PDF). astilleroszamakona.com. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  31. ^ "BEAUFORT, IMO 9558866". balticshipping.com. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  32. ^ a b "Pilot". safehavenmarine.com. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  33. ^ a b c "Dublin Port's New Pilot Boat 'Dodder' Arrives on the River Liffey". afloat.ie. 21 March 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  34. ^ "Interceptor 42 Pilot". safehavenmarine.com. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  35. ^ "New Pilot Boat DPC Tolka arrives in Dublin Port". dublinport.ie. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  36. ^ "ORC 171 Fast Patrol Craft". goodchildmarine.com. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  37. ^ "Equipment and Technology | Inland Fisheries Ireland". fisheriesireland.ie. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  38. ^ "Fisheries Protection Boats". deltapower.co.uk. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  39. ^ "First of 12 new rigid inflatables for fishery protection launched". irishtimes.com. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  40. ^ a b "Is the Jeanie Johnston Worth Its Cost?". 27 September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  41. ^ "History of the Naval Service". Irish Defence Forces. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  42. ^ "Naval Service > History > Fleet History". Irish Defence Forces. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  43. ^ "LÉ Eithne: Former Flagship of the Naval Service to Be Sent Overseas for Disposal At Scrap Recycling Facility". afloat.ie. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  44. ^ "Naval Service > Fleet > Offshore Patrol Vessel". Irish Defence Forces. Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  45. ^ "Naval Service > Fleet > Helicopter Patrol Vessel". Irish Defence Forces. Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  46. ^ "Naval Service > Fleet > Coastal Patrol Vessel". Irish Defence Forces. Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  47. ^ a b "The Irish Naval Service". corkshipwrecks.net. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  48. ^ "Naval Association". irishnavalassociation.ie. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  49. ^ a b MacGinty, Tom (1995). The Irish Navy - A Story of Courage and Tenacity. Tralee: The Kerryman. ISBN 0-946277-22-2. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  50. ^ "Scottish Built Ships". clydeships.co.uk. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  51. ^ "Defending Ireland's Coastline | Irish Torpedo Boats in the 1940s". coastmonkey.ie. 28 June 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  52. ^ "MTB questions". irishmilitaryonline.com. 10 January 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  53. ^ McCarthy, Patrick (July 2021). "The First Irish Navy - The Coastal and Marine Servie 1923-1924". An Cosantóir. The Military Archives. p. 18. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  54. ^ Clancy, Noel R. (May 2025). "The Free State Coastal and Marine Service". An Cosantóir. The Military Archives. p. 26. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  55. ^ Clancy, Noel R. (July 2025). "The Marine Investigation Department 1922-1923". An Cosantóir. The Military Archives. p. 26. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  56. ^ Bourke, Dr Edward. "Early Irish Free State Naval Activity". lugnad.ie. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  57. ^ "World War 1 at Sea - Ships of the Royal Navy". naval-history.net. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  58. ^ "1939-40 Lloyd's Register Steamers & Motorships under 300 tons, trawlers, etc". wrecksite.eu. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  59. ^ "TYRELL". nautipedia.it. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  60. ^ "Crew List Index Project". crewlist.org. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  61. ^ Colledge, J. J. (1987). Ships of the Royal Navy, Volume 2. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  62. ^ "Crew List Index Project". crewlist.org. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  63. ^ "Royal Navy Auxiliary Patrol ships of World War 1, based on British Warships, 1914-1919 by Dittmar and Colledge". naval-history.net. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  64. ^ "M.L.'s in the Service of the Irish Free State". motorlaunchpatrol.net. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  65. ^ "50 ft Steam Pinnace". onetheslipway.com. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  66. ^ "Oceans of Learning celebrates Irish Marine Research Vessels, the Celtic Voyager and Celtic Explorer". marine.ie (Press release). Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  67. ^ "RV Lough Beltra Cruise Survey Track Inventory". gov.ie. Marine Institute. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  68. ^ "Celtic Voyager". marine.ie. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  69. ^ "Retirement of the RV Celtic Voyager". gsi.ie. Geological Survey Ireland. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  70. ^ "Celtic Voyager.pdf" (PDF). marine.ie. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  71. ^ "Coiste an Asgard". Archived from the original on 10 June 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  72. ^ "Asgard II sinks off French coast". RTÉ. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.