• CLOSED
  • FREE
  • Chelsea, London
National Army Museum
  • CLOSED
  • FREE
  • Chelsea, London

Ireland

Oil painting by Ralph Lillford, 'Irishmen Avenge Irish Dead', Londonderry, 1975

Oil painting by Ralph Lillford, 'Irishmen Avenge Irish Dead', Londonderry, 1975
Featured

The Troubles

Troops were sent to Northern Ireland in 1969. They ended up staying there for nearly 40 years in what became the British Army's longest ever deployment.

Read this story

Explore Ireland stories

The Battle of the Boyne, 1690

Battle of the Boyne

Fought on 1 July 1690 between the forces of the deposed King James II and his successor, King William III, the Battle of the Boyne was the largest military engagement ever to take place on Irish soil.

explore this story
The Battle of Vinegar Hill, 21 June 1798

Irish Rebellion of 1798

In 1798, an underground republican group known as the Society of United Irishmen instigated a major uprising against British rule in Ireland. Although the revolt ended in total defeat for the rebels, it marked a significant watershed in Irish history.

explore this story
Replacement VC group awarded to Private Francis FitzPatrick, 94th Regiment, 1879-1900

Lost and found: A tale of two VCs

The medals of Private Francis Fitzpatrick, an Irish-born Victoria Cross hero, have recently been reunited at the National Army Museum after more than a century of separation.

explore this story
Cavalry of the New Model Army, c1645

British Civil Wars

Fought between 1642 and 1651, these wars were primarily disputes between Crown and Parliament about how the British Isles should be governed. But they also had religious and social dimensions, and witnessed the creation of the first national standing army.

explore this story
The Battle of the Boyne, 1690

Nine Years War

Between 1689 and 1697, British soldiers joined a European alliance against French expansionism. At the same time, extensive fighting took place in Scotland and Ireland between the supporters of King William III and the deposed James II.

explore this story
Collar badge of The Ulster Defence Regiment, c1970

The Ulster Defence Regiment

This infantry unit was formed in 1970. It served in Northern Ireland until 1992, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Regiment.

explore this story
Cap badge, other ranks, The Royal Irish Rangers, c1970

The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th)

This infantry unit was established in 1968 and recruited in Northern Ireland. It served with the British Army until 1992, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Regiment.

explore this story
Cap badge, Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers), c1914

The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's)

This infantry unit was established during the 1881 reforms. It recruited in the Irish province of Ulster and served until 1968 when it was merged into The Royal Irish Rangers.

explore this story
Glengarry badge, other ranks, 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment, c1874

87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot

This Irish infantry unit was raised in 1793. It served with the British Army until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Fusiliers.

explore this story
Glengarry badge, 89th (Princess Victoria’s) Regiment of Foot, c1874

89th (The Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot

This Irish infantry unit was raised in 1793. It served with the British Army until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Fusiliers.

explore this story
Other ranks' cap badge, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, c1930

The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

This Irish infantry unit was established in 1881. Recruiting in Ulster, it existed until 1968, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Rangers.

explore this story
Other ranks' glengarry badge, 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot, c1874

27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot

This Irish infantry unit was raised in 1689. It continued in service until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged into The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

explore this story

Explore Ireland events

Detail from 'A view of the Engagement at Vinegar Hill, June 21st 1798'
Members Only

31 August 2021, 6.30pm

FREE

The Irish Wars: The Irish Against Napoleon (Lecture 3/3)

Whatever political tensions existed in Ireland in the wake of the 1798 and 1803 Rebellions, Irishmen were never slow to join the British Army in the fight against Napoleon.

find out more
'United Irishmen in training', 1798
Patrons Only

1 September 2021, 6.30pm

FREE

The Pike Dinner

10 June 1798 became known as ‘Pike Sunday’ when Crown forces in Ireland descended en masse, seized hidden pikes and arrested blacksmiths. Join historian Patrick Mercer OBE to find out more about this extraordinary episode in Britain and Ireland’s military history.

find out more

Explore Ireland learning resources

Easter Rising 1916
Video

KS3 (Ages 11 to 14)

Easter Rising 1916

Watch experts from museums in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland sharing their thoughts on objects from our Easter Rising collection.

find out more

Join the conversation

"First time @NAM_London today. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thought the presentation & interpretation made the subject accessible..."

National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HT
Registered Charity Number: 237902