44th Infantry Battalion UNIFIL

44th Irish Infantry Battalion on Parade. Only once in the history of each Battalion that served with UNIFIL, did they all parade together. This is that occasion. The entire Battalion congregates for the Minister for Defence's Review.

44th Battalion on the move. This picture shows a convoy carrying troops of the 44th Battalion, having arrived at Beirut International Airport being transported to the Irish Area of Operations (A.O.). Note: the Soldier on the left of the picture is wearing his Black Beret from home. This would quickly have been changed to the Blue Beret of the United Nations.

A DutchBatt Armoured Personnel Carrier (A.P.C.) on Escort duty, ensuring the Irish Battalion get to the A.O. safely.

John Mulally and Tony Fitzgerald of "B" Company at At-Tiri. Behind them on the left is a Panhard APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) and a Land Rover. The Registration number of the Rover is visible UNIFIL 323. All UN Vehicles on this mission had reg's starting with the word UNIFIL.

Members of "C" Company on the road outside As Sultania House in January 1979. Henry Brady is seen with the Guitar. Also in the picture are Martin Coughlan and Jim Courtney.

The 44th Battalion was only the second Irish Battalion to serve with UNIFIL. When the mission started, there were no pre-fab's and the troops lived under canvas, as this picture from Alan Aston shows. The scene here shows a view of Brashit Camp, looking in the direction of Tibnin, which was the HQ of IrishBatt.

Beirut Airport during the rotation. Frankie Fitz and Tony Fitz meet up with members of the Nigerian Contingent, who found themselves stranded at the Airport for a couple of days.

This Photo was also taken at Beirut International Airport during the rotation of the 44th and the 45th Battalions, and shows members of "B" Company on the Tar-Mac. Standing L-R John O'Sullivan, John O'Connor, Tony Fitz. Front: The Swan Sullivan and Paul Murphy.

??? Cummins and Charlie Seward with a member of the French Transport Unit. The French regularly escorted troops of different nationalities during the Battalion rotations.

Out with the old and in with the new. This picture was taken during the rotation between the 44th and the 55th Battalions in Beirut. Tony Fitz, on the left is waiting to board the plane home, while Paddy Walsh has just got off it.

During a visit by the Force Commander to IrishBatt, an Honour Guard was arranged. These are the Soldiers who were involved:
Back Row L-R: Hugh Cassidy, ??? Sexton, Rock O Connell, Walter Sullivan, Pat Mulcahy, Sean Donovan, Jim Callaghan & Tony Murray.
Front Row L-R: Jim Sullivan, Niall Corcoran, John O Donnell, John Dolan & Willie Ahern.

Christmas with B Company. Standing L-R: Tony Fitzgerald, Charlie Seward and John Mulhally. Seated: Jimmy Farrell (OC B Company) and John Welsh.

This picture is of the main square in the center of Brashit Village and was taken from the roof of the "CO's House". It was taken on market day and in the background you can see a side wall and the lower part of the minaret of the Mosque. The word "Minaret" comes from the Arabic word "manara", which actually means Lighthouse.

Getting ready to go on a 60 Hour pass. L-R ??? Barry, Gerry Harrington and Tony Fitzgerald. While Serving with UNIFIL, you could apply for up to two 60 Hour Passes during the six months tour of duty. Given that there are 72 hours in 3 days, a 60 hour never seemed to last quite long enough.

Alan Aston seen here in the camp at Shaqra. Post 6-28. All Irish posts had a unique designation, the "6" identified that it was an IrishBatt Position. Shaqra was for many years part of the Irish AO

UNIFIL has always been a Multi National Force. Henry Brady is seen here with a number of friends, while serving in Lebanon.
March 21st 1979

A view of the house that was the Company Head Quarters of the company resident in Brashit. In the earlier trips to "The Leb", the Companies used to rotate between the different areas. This house was used continuously by IrishBatt over the years.

Another view of the house, Located a short distance from the village of Brashit. The hills in the background are home to Tibnin Village. South Lebanon is a very hilly region, not unlike parts of Connemara.

Henry Brady and Michael Dooley "taking the sun" at Bir AsAnasil.

Members of the 44th Infantry Battalion pictured at the OP at Blida. Armed with the frying pan is Richard Sweeney, while holding out his Mess Tins, in hopeful expectation is Paddy Mulcahy. GRUB's UP...

Members of "B" Company serving at Shaqra. L-R: Pat Mulcahy, Ger O'Connor and Gerry Harrington. Home Sweet Home...

A "B" Company Panhard APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) leaving Shaqra Camp.

On the left is Henry Brady, along with him is Pat Sammon. I can only say one thing... HAIRCUT!!! - Photo taken at OP Mar.

This picture shows L-R: Tony Fitzgerald, Joe Daly and Frankie Fitzgerald with a snow topped Mount Hermon in the background.

Everyone has heard of "The Barber of Seville" but not too many have ever come across The Barber of At-Tiri...

Henry "The Body" Brady... Not too sure whats going on here, but as Henry sent it in himself, I guess its ok to put it up...

Alan Aston, R. Lynch and S. O'Meara enjoying the plush surroundings of their tent in Shaqra. The Lebanese winter isn't very different from the Irish winter. Wet, cold and windy.

Here we see another shot of the camp in Shaqra, this one shows the ComCen (Communications Center) surrounded with sandbags. Anyone who ever served with UNIFIL could write an entire thesis on the subject of SANDBAGS!!!

Photo taken at UN Post 6-20, also known at "The Black Hole". This is Henry Brady on Checkpoint Duty. Behind him you can see that the position is made up of Sandbags covered with canvas, the long item coming from the left hand side of the position is the antenna for the Wireless Radio Communication Transceiver which was used to keep in contact with Company Head Quarters.

Saint Patricks Day 1979. An Irish AML-90 on Parade, being driven by Donal McNamara. Up top, is Harry Hanley and Niall Cremin. Armour is a big part of any Battalion and over the years the AML-90 served well.

Brendan Ward and Eamonn Connolly of A Company, on Duty with the 44th Bn. in Shaqra. Irishbatt were at this stage still under canvas, you can see the Accomodation complex (Tent) in the background. Photo: Tom Mansfield.

View From Shaqra Camp looking towards Hill 16 and Mhahibeb. AML 90 in the background, Panhard APC in the foreground. As early as the 44th Bn they were painting the rocks white!

All the comforts of home... Well, not really. In fact very few of the comforts of home would be more accurate!!!
Henry Brady eating spuds out of the lid of a saucepan... Where would you get it...

During the early years of UNIFIL there was great interest at home about the mission, this picture shows a member of the RTE crew who visited South Lebanon during the tour of duty of the 44th Battalion.

This photograph was taken at the Entrance to Tyre Barracks. The Irish usually had a detachment in Tyre, supplying a guard and MP's

Serving with "C" Company with the 44th Infantry Battalion in South Lebanon, Henry Brady gets the chance to have a game of American Football.

Joe Kinsella and Tom Mansfield at As-Sultaniyah, 1st Feb 1979.

Group at As-Sulyaniyah, Including Tom Mansfield, John Troy, Pako Novel, Jack Doyle, Tony Gibson & Joe Kearney.

Henry Brady receives his UN Medal from George Murphy (G.O.C. Western Command) at "C" Company Headquarters,
UN Post 6-16, Brashit Camp.

L-R Jimmy Butler, Pako Novel, Tom Mansfield, Duggie & John Troy. Pictured on Saint Patrick's Day, 17th of March 1979, before leaving As-Sultaniyah for the Medal Parade for the 44th Bn. UNIFIL.

This is a scene from the "March Past" from the 44th Infantry Battalion's Medal Parade St. Patrick's Day 1979.

John Welsh and Tony Fitzgerald on the roof of the C.O.'s House in the Village of Brashit. Behing them is the Minaret of the Mosque. The call to prayer for Muslims is traditionally given from the top of the Minaret. Living next door to it means you can hear the 5 calls every day.

This picture was taken after the Medal Parade and shows members of the Battalion enjoying the opportunity to take part in the celebrations. On the left is Tony Fitzgerald. Can anyone name the others???

This prefab was used as a UN position, and was located in the Wadi at Jabal la Staff.

Its the ONLY way to travel. The sight that every Soldier on an overseas mission waits for, the Plane home. In this case its the 44th Bn getting ready to board an Aer Lingus Jumbo Jet at Beirut International Airport, bound for home. Photo: Tom Mansfield



44th Battalions Soccer team seen here togged out before playing an Inter-Contingent match against the Iranian Battalion. On the front row on the Left is Donal McNamara (Goalkeeper). The match ended Ireland 2 Iran 1.

Mick Hurley in the ComCen. Also in the picture to the right is a Karl Gustav M45 9mm SubMachine Gun. This weapon was standard Irish Army issue at the time. The brown leather pouch beside it held the amunition magazines.

Jimmy Reilly is seen here with a number of local people, while serving with the 44th Infantry Battalion.

"HOME SWEET HOME".... Paddy Mulcahy, from Youghal, at Gallows Green.

Star of Irish Radio and Television over the years, This is Rosie. She started off business by collecting laundry from the camp in Brashit. From here her empire simply grew and grew. For as long as the Irish were in the area, Rosie has been an institution.

Standing in the doorway is Fran Thomas, Derek Lamb is on the left along with Anto Byrne and other colleagues from the 44th Battalion, UNIFIL. South Lebanon. Can you name any of the other guys? Email Me.

Anto Byrne, Paddy Ross and Gerry Cunningham, seen here after a trip to the Barbers..

Members of the 44th Irish Battalion enjoying a bit of time away from the Area of Operations (A.O.) in Israeli port city of Haifa.
Nano Carter, John Smith, Audie Murphy, Gerry Cunnigham, Anto Byrne, ??? McGrath in front.

The 44th Battalion's Medal Parade took place on St Patricks Day 1979 at Camp Shamrock. If you look you can see the evidence on and around these guys Cap Badges. L-R: Mick Richards, Hughie Grace, Frank Curtain, Gerry Cunnigham, Anto Byrne.

During the 44th Battalion's tour of duty, the G.O.C. (General Officer Commanding) of the Western Command visited the Troops on the ground in Lebanon. Here, having distributed the UN Peace Medal, he has a word with members of "C" Company.

Anto Byrne is seen here at "A" Company HeadQuarters at Shaqra.

Members of "A" Company at Beirut International Airport preparing for departure on the route home having completed their six month tour of duty with UNIFIL. L-R: Noel Moore, Gerry Cunnigham, Anto Byrne, Huggey, and John Cahill in their Whites.

L:R Mick Dooley, Henry Brady and Eamonn McGowan at the Yellow Rooms in Brashit, which at the time was home to "C" Company's Rifle Platoon. In the blue jeans is a local girl called Woofa.

"Happy Days" These guys are on their way for a 60 Hour Pass. The picture was taken in Naqoura, the last stop before crossing the border at Rosh Hanikra, into Northern Israel. (Back Row ) ??? Smith, Anto Byrne, Gerry Cunningham, Tony Egan, Hughie Grace, (Bottom row) Danny O' Riordan, ???, Spud Murphy, Paco Novel and Paddy Monaghan.

John Cahill, ??? McGrath and Anto Byrne of the 44th Infantry Battalion welcoming Pete Malone from the 45th with a bottle or two.

This picture unfortunately hasn't weathered well, but you can still see that it's Tommy Carberry. Photo taken at Bis asAnisal.

Anto Byrne, Gerry Cunningham and a Lebanese Police Man. If you can rearrange the berets and weapons, you might be able to work out who is who....

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1st UNIFIL MP Company

Members of the 1st UNIFIL Military Police Company in Naqoura. L-R: Francis Argentini (France), Mossie Whelan, Jimmy Dee, Gerry Byrne, and in front, Ollie Griffin. Spring 1979. Photo: Jimmy Dee.

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