An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir This is the page of the AN COSANTÓIR - The Defence Forces Magazine. This magazine has been in existence since 1940.

17/10/2025

For today’s quick fire round we have Comdt Andrew O’Shaughnessy who we caught up with at the DF hurling. We also asked him some questions about his own hurling career. Swipe right to view his interview and to see a class goal 👌

People of the DFName: Cillian MoranUnit: 2BTCSport of choice: Rowing How did you get into this sport? “I started rowing ...
16/10/2025

People of the DF

Name: Cillian Moran
Unit: 2BTC
Sport of choice: Rowing 

How did you get into this sport? “
I started rowing at novice level during my undergraduate degree at NUI Galway in 2012. A friend told me about the intense training regime, the different competitions they went to, and their club gym. So I signed up to see what it was like, and loved it so much I stayed on. Currently I train with my local club in Galway, Tribesmen RC, and have competed for the Defence Forces Rowing Club since 2023”

What is your normal position?
“I have rowed in several different boats and positions over the years. Starting off in an 8-man boat, before racing to a four man, two man and singles skull boats. I normally row towards the front of the boat (the bow), with a preference for sweep rowing”

What has been your best experience to date with the club?
“This has to be competing in the Rhine Rowing Marathon in Germany in 2025. The Defence Forces club entered 2 boats to the race to complete 43km distance, as quick as possible. We competed against 177 other international crews from all across Europe, ultimately finishing as the 3rd fastest international crew, and 5th and 11th overall. Next best experience was earlier this year, finishing second for the Defence Forces club at the National Rowing Championships 1km sprint in Lough Rynn”

What do you enjoy the most about the club?
“I really value the crew and coaching staff in the DF rowing club. The training regime is at a very high standard, and the coaches we have, like the Olympian Sanita Purspure, make sure to get the best out of everyone in the crew, to allow us to compete at a high level. The crew and staff are what really make the club enjoyable for me. So if anyone even has a tiny curiosity in trying out rowing, they’ll make you feel welcome”

Here’s a look at the An Parade section of the current issue of our magazine 😊 It features photos from all over the DF of...
14/10/2025

Here’s a look at the An Parade section of the current issue of our magazine 😊 It features photos from all over the DF of a variety of activities ranging from tactical photos to ceremonial, sport, and even social events. If you have any cool photos that you think might fit this section of our future issues of the magazine please send them in with a small caption describing the photo. Thank you 🙏

People of the DFName: Ciarán HealyYears of service: 13yrsCurrent Role: Pte MedicSport: Golf & HurlingCan you give me a b...
13/10/2025

People of the DF

Name: Ciarán Healy
Years of service: 13yrs
Current Role: Pte Medic
Sport: Golf & Hurling

Can you give me a brief description of your career so far?
“I’m in the army 13 yrs, I’m a Pte Medic in CMU 1 Bde and I’ve done 3 overseas trips to date.”

What made you decide to join the DF?
“I always had an interest in the Defence Forces from a young age from watching them outside the banks in Kinsale, so once I was of age to join I applied without hesitation.”

You recently won the DF golf tournament, how did that go?
“Ya I won the Collins Cup which was held in the Royal Curragh. It was a difficult course and weather was against us but thankfully my game all came together and I finished with a 79 (44pts) off a 15hcp.”

How did you get into golf?
“I had knee surgery in 2023 and my surgeon was big into golf. He advised me to give the hurling a break and take up a sport less stressful on the knees like golf, So I bought a few clubs and hit the drive range and got hooked”

What is a future goal you’re working towards?
“Well like all golfers I wish I could say I’m Scratch but for now I managed to drop my handicap from a 18 to a 10 in the last 3 months, So the goal is try get a single figure handicap once spring comes around again.”

What is your favourite quote?
“Simply staying in the game long enough will put you ahead of most.”

What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?
“Buy golf clubs sooner”

Here’s the On Parade section from our current issue of the magazine. It consists of photos from across all the Units in ...
07/10/2025

Here’s the On Parade section from our current issue of the magazine. It consists of photos from across all the Units in the DF varying from tactical to ceremonial or even sport or social events. If you have any pictures that you would like to be in our next issue of the magazine please forward them on here with a little two liner caption detailing what the picture is. Thank you 🙏

Daoine an DF - Sraith Sheirbhís ChabhlaighCéim agus Ainm: Oifigeach Sinsearach Joseph CostelloBlianta i Seirbhís: 25 bli...
07/10/2025

Daoine an DF - Sraith Sheirbhís Chabhlaigh

Céim agus Ainm: Oifigeach Sinsearach Joseph Costello
Blianta i Seirbhís: 25 bliain
Ról Reatha: Oifigeach i gCeannas ar ERAnna Faoi Oiliúint sa tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh

Cuntas ar do ghairm bheatha?
“Liostáil mé sa Chabhlach i 2000. Chríochnaigh mé Oiliúint Earcaíochta agus thosaigh mé ar L.É. Eithne mar Mheicneoir. Rinne mé printíseacht FÁS mar Fheisteoir Casadóir, críochnaithe i 2004, agus cúrsa Oifigeach POT i 2006. D’fhill mé ar L.É. Eithne, ag taisteal go Ceanada agus SAM. In 2010, dheisigh mé RHIBanna ag an mBunáit. In 2011, chuaigh mé ar L.É. Niamh. In 2012, sheol mé luamh tréigthe go Bunáit na Sionainne. In 2014, stop mé drugaí ar luamh Marabella. In 2015, chuidigh mé le L.É. James Joyce a thógáil i Sasana, ag fanacht léi go 2017. In 2016, tharrtháil muid 3,500 imirceach sa Mheánmhuir, 24 marbh. In 2017, thosaigh mé ag NMCI ag traenáil Fhaoi Oiliúint agus tugadh ardú céime dom. Ó 2020, bhí mé ar L.É. Samuel Beckett mar Oifigeach d’innealtóirí. In 2022, sheachaid muid trealamh go dtí an Liobáin. Ó 2022, tá mé ag NMCI ag traenáil Fhaoi Oiliúint.”

Cur síos ar do ról reatha?
“Tá mé i gColáiste na Seirbhíse Cabhlaigh ag NMCI, i gceannas ar ERAnna Faoi Oiliúint. Cinntím go bhfreastalaíonn siad ar aonaid ETB agus go gcríochnaíonn siad measúnuithe le SOLAS, réidh don tSeirbhís.”

Cad a spreag tú chun dul isteach sa Chabhlach?
“D’oibrigh mé ar fheirm m’athar, ag deisiú inneall. Thaitin longa an Chabhlaigh liom agus chuir mé isteach ar an tSeirbhís nuair a bhí mé sean go leor.”

Cuimhne is suntasaí?
“Na mílte imirceach a tharrtháil sa Mheánmhuir in 2016, ag cabhrú leo siúd gan aon rud.”

Dúshlán is mó?
“A bheith ar shiúl ón teaghlach ar feadh míonna, rud a chuireann strus ar an teaghlach.”

An rud is fearr faoi do ról?
“Ag NMCI, treoraím daoine óga, ag múnlú an chéad ghlúin sa Chabhlach.”

Daoine an DF - Sraith Seirbhís ChabhlaighCéim agus Ainm: Árd Mion Oifigeach Seosamh Ó CoisdealbhaBlianta i Seirbhís: 25 ...
06/10/2025

Daoine an DF - Sraith Seirbhís Chabhlaigh

Céim agus Ainm: Árd Mion Oifigeach Seosamh Ó Coisdealbha
Blianta i Seirbhís: 25 bliain
Ról faoi láthair: NCO i gCeannas ar Tech Trainee ERA’s sa tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh

Cuntas ar do ghairm bheatha go dtí seo?
Líostáil mé sa Chabhlaigh i Meán Fómhair 2000. Chríochnaigh mé traenáil Éarcaigh i Nollaig agus thosaigh ag obair ar L.É. Eithne mar Mheicneoir. Chuir mé isteach ar scéim Tech Trainee mar Fitter Turner, d’éirigh liom, agus thosaigh mé printíseacht le FÁS. I 2004, chríochnaigh mé agus rinne mé cúrsa POT NCO i 2006. D’fhill mé ar L.É. Eithne ar feadh 3½ bliana, ag taisteal go Ceanada agus SAM. I 2010, d’fhill mé ar an mBunáit ag deisigh RHIBs. I 2011, chuaigh mé ar L.É. Niamh. I 2012, sheol mé yacht tréigthe go Bunáit Inis Sionnaigh. I 2014, ghlac mé páirt i stopadh drugaí ar yacht Marabella. I 2015, chuidigh mé le tógáil L.É. James Joyce i Sasana agus d’fhan mé léi go 2017. I 2016, tharrtháil muid 3,500 imirceach sa Mheánmhuir, 24 acu marbh. I 2017, thosaigh mé ag NMCI ag múineadh Tech Trainees agus fuair mé ardú céime go Árd Mion Oifigeach. Ó 2020, bhí mé ar L.É. Samuel Beckett mar NCO innealtóirí. I 2022, sheol muid trealamh go dtí an Liobáin. Ó 2022, táim ag NMCI ag traenáil Tech Trainees.

Cur síos ar do ról faoi láthair?
Táim i gColáiste an tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh ag NMCI le 3 bliana, i gceannas ar Tech Trainee ERA’s. Déanaim cinnte go bhfreastalaíonn siad ar ionaid ETB agus go ndéanann siad measúnuithe i gceart le SOLAS, réidh don tSeirbhís.

Cad a spreag tú chun dul sa Chabhlaigh?
D’oibrigh mé ar fheirm m’athar, ag deisiú uirlisí agus inneall. Thaitin longanna an Chabhlaigh liom mar gheall ar a n-inneall móra, agus chuir mé isteach ar an tSeirbhís nuair a bhí mé sách sean.

Cuimhneachán is mó a sheasann amach?
Tarrtháil na mílte imirceach sa Mheánmhuir i 2016, ag cabhrú leo nuair nach raibh aon rud fágtha acu.

An dúshlán is mó sa phost?
Bheith ar shiúl ó theaghlach ar feadh míonna ar long, ag cur strus ar an saol teaghlaigh.

An rud is fearr faoi do ról?
Ag NMCI, tugaim treoir agus oideachas do dhaoine óga, ag múnlú an chéad ghlúin eile sa Chabhlaigh.

Nine time winner of the CQ Pat Byrne congratulates the man with the new record of winning our annual race an unbelievab...
02/10/2025

Nine time winner of the CQ Pat Byrne congratulates the man with the new record of winning our annual race an unbelievable TEN TIMES 😳…. Pte Kenneth Rodgers of 💪

Two amazing shots from yesterday of the this years 10k winner Kenneth Rodgers and the winner of the 3 previous years ...
02/10/2025

Two amazing shots from yesterday of the this years 10k winner Kenneth Rodgers and the winner of the 3 previous years battling it out on the course yesterday 💪💪 Josh was the first person over to congratulate Kenny like the gent he is. Hopefully we will get to see them battle it out again next year 💪

Massive thank you 🙏 From all the staff here at we just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who participated in ...
02/10/2025

Massive thank you 🙏
From all the staff here at we just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who participated in yesterday’s fabulous event. Every competitor, steward, or anyone who attended or helped in any way 😊
It was definitely one of the best events yet and we even hit lucky with the weather. 🌞 We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did and thank you for sharing your wonderful photos and tagging us in them. Keep them coming. 💪💪💪 We look forward to seeing you all again next year. 🤗 Hope you like the photos from yesterday by our brilliant photographer 📸

1 more sleep 🤗🤗Looking really forward to seeing you all tomorrow for this years 10k 😊Any pics you take and share on ins...
30/09/2025

1 more sleep 🤗🤗
Looking really forward to seeing you all tomorrow for this years 10k 😊
Any pics you take and share on instagram from the race please be sure to tag us 😊
Can’t wait 😊
See you soon 😊

People of the DF - Naval Service SeriesName: A/B Tommy HealyYears of Service: 6 yearsCurrent Role: Currently undertaking...
29/09/2025

People of the DF - Naval Service Series

Name: A/B Tommy Healy
Years of Service: 6 years
Current Role: Currently undertaking an M1 course to prepare for a Technical Training (T/T) scheme

Can you give us a brief description of your career so far?
“I’ve had an exciting and challenging career so far. A career in the Defence Forces in general is tough, and the Naval Service is not for the faint of heart. The sea is a harsh environment, but very fulfilling at the same time.”

What is your current role, and can you give us a brief description?
“I’m currently doing an M1 course, as I’ve been given the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship to become a Hull Artificer. The M1 course will transition me from the seaman’s branch into the engineering branch.”

What inspired you to join the Navy?
“I was inspired to join the Navy because it’s something I always wanted to do. I always wanted to serve my country, but life has a way of getting in the way. When I turned 26, I thought my time had passed to join the Army, but then I discovered the Navy had an extra year as a cut-off point at the time. So, I enlisted, and I’m delighted I did, to be honest. No regrets.”

What is the most challenging thing about your job?
“The most challenging thing is knowing you can be called at any time to go out to sea, even if it’s just for a relief for a week. In fairness, the Navy will try to find someone else if you have something big going on, but it can be tough on the family when you come home from work and tell them you’ll be away for a week or two starting Monday.”

What advice would you give someone considering a career in the Navy?
“I’d suggest talking to the people closest to you first. It’s not just you that joins the Navy; in many ways, it’s your whole family. Between sea time and 24-hour duties, you will be away a lot. But once that is understood and accepted, if it still appeals to you, go for it and grasp it with both hands.”

What is your favourite quote?
“My favourite quote is one that you can apply to any of life’s challenges: ‘Smooth seas never made a skilled sailor.’”

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Defence Forces Magazine

We are the Defence Forces Magazine. A magazine by members for members of the Irish Defence Forces. We have been in existence since 1940 and we publish 10 issues per year. You can subscribe for 30 Euro a year for a printed copy of the magazine or 10 Euro per year for a digital copy of the magazine