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  • IRISH INFANTRY, THE SHARP POINT OF THE BAYONET

The Royal Irish Regiment

Built with fighting spirit, tradition, and Irish character, we are the only Irish Infantry Regiment of the line in the British Army. We recruit people of the right quality and calibre right across the island of Ireland, all parts of the UK, and beyond.

About us

The Royal Irish Regiment is necessarily tough and uncompromising in battle, yet we can switch from ferocity to compassion in an instant. 

While we welcome people from around the world, we proudly maintain a uniquely Irish character. We are more than soldiers; we are family, supporting one another from cradle to grave. This deep sense of kinship, rooted in Irish culture, gives us the strength and resilience to face any challenge, whether in peace or war, at home or abroad.

We draw inspiration from our history, upholding the legacy of centuries of Irish service in the British Army. This rich heritage is proudly reflected in our Irish Ranger identity as we embrace the future with determination, clearing the way for others to follow and building upon our success.

Active from

1 July 1992

Role

Light Recce Strike

Specialism

Close combat

We are committed to developing and maximising your potential through world-class training and opportunities. By joining The Royal Irish Regiment, you will gain invaluable experience and build essential skills that will equip you to operate in complex and challenging environments.

You could specialise in a variety of roles, including:

  • Reconnaissance
  • Sniper
  • Machine Gunner
  • Mortar Operator
  • Anti-Tank Operator
  • Vehicle Driver or Commander
  • Combat Communications Specialist
  • Assault Pioneer
  • Physical Training Instructor
  • Intelligence Specialist
  • Combat Medic Technician 
  • Bugles, Pipes, and Drums

Each role offers unique challenges and opportunities for personal and professional growth. 

Both battalions are currently stationed at home, preparing for operational deployment in 2024.

Previous deployments:

  • Operation Interflex - UK 2023-2024
  • Operation Newcombe - Mali 2022
  • Operation Detelina - Bulgaria 2022
  • Operation Corded - Kenya and Zambia 2021
  • Operation Tosca - Cyprus 2020
  • Operation Rescript - UK 2020-2021
  • Operation Toral – Afghanistan 2017-2019
  • Operation Herrick – Afghanistan 2006-2011

Other deployments and exercises:

Beyond these operations, The Royal Irish has also been deployed to the USA, Canada Fiji, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Kenya, Norway, Romania, Estonia, Germany and France in recent years.

Our strength lies in our people, from our youngest cadets to our serving soldiers and oldest veterans. We invest in each individual, enabling everyone to fulfil their potential and mentor those around them. Our people are active, ruthlessly professional, and highly skilled. Our commanders are chosen for their emotional intelligence and ability to sustain strong bonds with their soldiers. 

Together, we celebrate our diverse backgrounds and honour the proud traditions that define our Regiment, ensuring our legacy continues for generations to come.

Warrant Officer Class One Robert McClurg Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, County Down

Sergeant Bryan Curley, Platoon Sergeant, County Galway

 

Our Regimental Headquarters, located in Belfast City Centre, is the focal point for the Regiment and its battalions. 

The 1st (Regular) Battalion is stationed at Clive Barracks, Shropshire, England. 

The 2nd (Reserve) Battalion Headquarters is based in Lisburn, Co. Antrim. Our Reserve Company and Platoon bases are located in Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownards, Newtownabbey, Ballymena, Portadown, Enniskillen, and Limavady.

View in maps

  • 1st Battalion

    Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 3QE 01630 698 280

  • 2nd Battalion

    Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn. BFPO 801 02892 262 826

Through the years

Our history spans from 1688 to the campaigns of the 21st century. The Royal Irish Regiment embodies the Irish spirit of courage and dedicated service, reflecting 350 years of significant Irish contributions to the British Army. 

Raising of the Regiment in Enniskillen by Zacharia Tiffin

The Regiment’s motto ‘Faugh-a-Ballagh’ (‘Clear the Way’) is born at the battle of Barrosa

The 27th (Inniskillings) Regiment holds the centre of Wellington’s line at Waterloo

29 bns of three antecedent regiments fight at the Somme with every Irishman a volunteer

Two battalions of the Royal Ulster Rifles land in Normandy by air and by sea

The Royal Irish Regiment is the only regiment of the United Kingdom's Armed Forces to have been presented with a collective gallantry award by the Sovereign. On 6 October 2006, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross to The Royal Irish Regiment in recognition of the extraordinary record of The Ulster Defence Regiment and the Home Service battalions.

During Operation Herrick 13, the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment was engaged in the largest air assault operation to have been conducted by the Regiment since The Royal Ulster Rifles crossed the Rhine in 1945. 

Following the British Army’s Integrated Review and the Future Soldier 2021 initiative, the 1st Battalion returned to the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, the British Army’s global response force, in a new Light Recce Strike role.

Meanwhile, the 2nd Battalion became part of the newly formed 19th Light Brigade, reflecting a strategic shift to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving landscape.

Explore our Equipment

The GMG is usually mounted on WMIK Land Rovers but can also be used from ground-based tripods.

They are designed to achieve a first-round hit at 600 metres and harassing fire out to 1,100 metres.

Foxhound has a top speed of 112 kph but can still protect against improvised explosive devices thanks to its v-shaped hull.

The Javelin anti-tank weapon and the Next-generation light anti-tank weapon.

On its introduction, it proved so accurate that the Army marksmanship tests had to be redesigned.

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]

Address: 28 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7FE, Northern Ireland

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