Please email Paudie McGrath if you would like a larger print of these photos. |
The Badge design (Common to the Irish Army, Irish Naval Service and the
Irish Air Corps) is derived from the Badge of the Irish Volunteers and
was designed by Professor Eoin MacNeill, Chairman of the National Executive
of the Irish Volunteers. Professor Eoin MacNeill
The Badge was originally adopted by the Irish Volunteers in October 1914 as
the official badge of the organisation. The centrepiece is formed of the
letters "FF". These letters signify "Fianna Fail" (pronounced Fianna Fall).
The word Fianna is the name of the ancient military organisation
(circa 3rd.century A.D.) forming what then corresponded to the standing
Army of the country. The word Fail means Destiny.
Army Headquarters Badge The two letters are surrounded by an ancient warriors sword belt and a circle of flames, which represents the "Sunburst" - the traditional battle emblem of the Fianna. The words "Oglaigh na hEireann" inscribed around the belt mean "Soldiers of Ireland". Command Headquarters Badge No particular significance is attached to the representation of the star, which is included to balance the design. |