Defence Forces in Mali at dawn this morning Source: Defence Forces

NOT ALL ST. Patrick’s Day celebrations take place in the Irish rain.

Some 431 Irish soldiers from our defence forces are currently deployed on peace support missions across the globe, from Lebanon to the Golan Heights, Mali to Syria.

The 181 Irish troops of the 47th Infantry Group stationed in South Lebanon (as part of UN peace-keeping duties) celebrated the day that was in it with a blessing of shamrock by their unit chaplain before the shamrock was officially presented at parade by Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Conor O’Boyle.

Sgt Maj Fintan Lambe from Galway at the 47th Infantry Group shamrock parade in South Lebanon Source: Defence Forces

Most of these soldiers are from the south and west of the country, particularly Cork and Galway.

Vinny Murray and Séamus McLoughlain of the 47th Infantry Group, with Fijian colleagues Source: Defence Forces

O’Boyle also laid a wreath at the the Defence Forces Monument in Tibnin to honour the Irish soldiers who have died whilst keeping the peace in Lebanon.

Defence Forces Chief of Staff Conor O'Boyle presents shamrock to Lieutenant Mark Cullagh in South Lebanon Source: Defence Forces

Meanwhile, in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights region 138 Irish troops received the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) Medal from Major General Ralph James.

The UNDOF medals and a bowl of Shamrock Source: Defence Forces

Irish troops on parade in the Golan Heights today Source: Defence Forces

Lieutenant Cl. John Whittaker presents shamrock to Cl. Sevilla in Kolukoro Training Camp, Mali today Source: Defence Forces

In the Congo, Western Sahara, Mali, Bosnia and Kosovo the day was celebrated with a mixture of formality and fun.

Lieutenant Cl. Andy Hart of the Royal Irish Regiment (second from left) with Irish Defence Forces personnel in Koulikoro Training Camp, Mali, today Source: Defence Forces

Commandant David Duff presents shamrock to EUTM Mali Chief of Staff, Germany's Colonel Schirra Source: Defence Forces

In Sierra Leone, a country recently ravaged by the Ebola outbreak, five Irish medical personnel were presented with their shamrock by the Irish Ambassador to the country Sinéad Walsh.

Sierra Leone Ambassador Sinéad Walsh with the Irish Defence Forces medical corps deployment to the country Source: Defence Forces

And closer to home, Captain Andrew O’Shaughnessy and Private Colin Fennelly posed for a photo before hitting a far more Irish warzone – Croke Park for the final of the All Ireland Club Hurling championship.

Andrew O'Shaughnessy (left) and Colin Fennelly at Collins Barracks, Cork Source: Defence Forces

Limerick’s O’Shaughnessy will have ended up as the more crestfallen of the two unfortunately – Fennelly’s Kilkenny club Ballyhale Shamrocks triumphed over Kilmallock by 12 points.

To all the men and women of the Irish Army serving abroad, a very happy St. Patrick’s Day from TheJournal.ie.

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