1922-1938
The Anglo-Irish treaty of 1922 stipulated that Ireland would be given responsibility to police its customs and fishing, while the United Kingdom would remain in control of Irish waters. In 1923 The Irish Coastal and marine service was created, yet merely one year later it was disbanded. The CMS ship Muirchú continued patrol of Irish fisheries. Muirchu was later armed in 1936. In 1938 the United Kingdom handed over three treaty ports (Cork Harbour, Bere Haven and Lough Swilly). Consequently, the Royal Navy withdrew from Cork Harbour in July 1938. The Fort Rannoch was added to the Irish fleet at that time.
Contents
1939-1945
In 1939 the Irish Government ordered two Motor Torpedo Boats from Vospers UK. When World War II began in September 1939 the Marine and Coastwatching Service was set up. In order for Ireland to remain neutral, it became clear that a full naval service would be required. The government consequentially ordered an additional 4 MTBs. by the end of 1940 the Irish Marine and Coaswatching Service consisted of 6 MTB's and 4 other assorted craft. During the War the Service regulated merchant ships, protected fisheries, and laid mines in Cork and Waterford. When the war ended, the Service was renamed to "Irish Marine Service".
1946-1971
In September 1946, the Marine Service was incorporated into the Irish Defence Forces. This was the beginning of the modern Naval Service. The navy purchased three Corvettes from the United Kingdom in 1946 and 1947. The tradition of naming Irish Naval Ships after figures in Celtic Mythology was started, and the ships were named Cliona, Maev and Macha. These three ships were to become a key part of the Naval Service in the 1950s and 1960s. The first formal training of Irish Naval Cadets took place at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, UK in 1947. Between 1968 and 1970, Cliona, Maev and Macha were withdrawn from service. These were replaced by three minesweepers commissioned in 1971: Grainne, Banba and Fola.
1972-1996
In 1971 the Naval Service commissioned Verolme Cork Dockyard to build an offshore patrol ship. Named L.É Deirdre, it was the first naval vessel purpose-built in Ireland to patrol its waters. The Economic Exclusion Zone of Ireland was increased in 1976 from 12 to 200 miles (22.2 to 370.4 km). The subsequent strain put on the Naval Service prompted funding from the European Community to build and purchase seven ships, all of which are in service today, apart from LÉ Setanta, which was sold in 1980
1996-2001
The 50th anniversary of the Irish Naval Service took place in 1996. Celebrations included a fleet review by president Mary Robinson. In 1999, a new ship LÉ Róisin was delivered to the Navy, marking the beginning of a new class of larger patrol vessels. The most recent addition to the fleet has been LÉ Niamh, commissioned in September 2001.