I seem to remember a figure recently of several thousand. But can't find a reference. At the moment according to a recent article it has been said the about two a month join from the Republic. At the moment something like 16% of recruits joining through the Northern Ireland recruiting office are from the Republic. I remember a figure somewhere that 40% of the Irish Guards are from the Republic.

In the military section of an Irish discussion forum there is as much discussion as to British army recruitment as there is to Irish army recruitment. Often the British forces are favoured because of the perceived opportunities and frankly the chance to see action. It seems young men never change. The Irish army is quite professional if lightly equipped and does serve overseas but the government is reluctant to commit them anywhere near a shooting war.

This is despite the fact the old rump of Irish superpatriots, (you know the type, the ones who think planting bombs in crowded streets is heroic), describe them as scum and traitors. Having said that. I know many ex British army Irish. They don't really keep it a secret.

I remember when I was growing up in Dublin, on opposite sides of the road lived an 'old IRA' man who fought the British in the war of independance. (He still had his old rifle in the attic) and a former career soldier in the British army who served in both wars. That would be typical.

Certainly if you want to be an officer. The British Army is often the only way. As the Irish army cadetships are always oversubscribed not to mention occasionally allocated to serving officers sons. Even Arthur Wellesley wouldn't have got into the Irish army. I've even heard of one guy who was rejected by the Irish army but got the Royal Marines.

As for Ireland's neutrality in WW2. I always considered it a good thing early on. It would have been stupid and suicidal to join in yet another war of the great powers particularly when it looked like Britain was about to lose. Later though when the Americans came in and it was clear that this wasn't just another continental squabble. It was utterly stupid not to join in in some form. It would certainly have benefited Ireland in the long run. DeValera was an ass.

As it happens, Ireland wasn't that neutral in the war. The decision to go on D-day came in part after a phone call from SHAEF to a lighthouse keeper in the west of Ireland to check the weather. Not very neutral that. But people still believe the propaganda put out at the time.

Someone mentioned Paddy Finucane. To put it in perspective, he remains the second highest scoring RAF fighter pilot in WW2 after Johnny Johnson. Johnny Johnson survived the war. Finucane died in 1942.

As for the orignal point about the RAF covering Ireland. I'm quite sure some kind of arrangement is in place. However I would imagine it's there as much to protect British targets. Ireland is unlikely to be the target. A hijacked airliner crossing Irish airspace will be intercepted by RAF jets. The Irish Air Corps has no capability as it's under equipped and underfunded. To be honest there has to be a question mark about it's future as it really has no role other than some maritime patrols and a bit of support to the army with it's helicopters. Even then it has no deployment capability. In my opinion it should be disbanded and it's roles civilianised or absorbed into the army.

Edit: Just to emphasise my remarks. One of the two Royal Marines killed the other day in Afghanistan is from Westport, County Mayo. RIP.

KG86, did he tell you what happened next?

Interestingly, it would be entirely possible to meet uniformed Germans in Ireland during the war. I remember one description of an Englishman going into a shop in Cork city to be greeted by the sight of a Luftwaffe officer in full uniform using the public telephone. The German would have been one of those interned in the Curragh detention camp. There were several U boat crew too. So it could be them. On the other hand, it would have been easy to put in somewhere on the west coast and head for the nearest pub.

They were allowed out on parole on the basis that if they escaped all the other prisoners would lose that privilege. The same applied to the British internees. One did escape and was actually returned by the British. They were however allowed to try and escape from the camp itself. So tunnels were dug etc.

Incidentally the British were at first returned until the Germans complained that it was unfair. Apparently the British and Germans would meet up in a bar in the Shelbourne hotel in Dublin. It must have been very strange.

When RAF aircraft landed intact, the Air Corps actually bought them. Crashed ones were simply plonked on a Queen Mary trailer, (supplied by the RAF) and sent back.

This has turned into a really interesting thread!
Thanks to those that have been contributing!:ok:

Quote:
As they were waiting to be served, they looked through the bar, and into the 'snug' and came face to face with a German U Boat crew!
KG86, did he tell you what happened next?

Corsair,

Yes. They raised glasses to each other, drank up and scuttled back over the border.

Is it possible that the IRA air corp will defend the skies over Ireland's Fenin valleys?? Didn't they have a helecoptor squadron??? ;)

My true opinion would be that we will never really know but there is likely a mutual 'understanding' involved. Likely the idea of Ireland under attack is remote for most people which means the question need never be seriously answered openly.

davaar lad
I think the pub you mention might be "Biddies O Barnes" located in the Barnesmore gap which is almost in a straight line from Donegal town to Derry/Ballykelly. Nice in it's day but now all modernised and touristy.
Great biking road by the way.