Speech by President Connolly on 75th Anniversary of Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, 28 March 2026
A Iarshaighdiúirí agus a Chairde Uaisle uilig, is mór an onóir dom mar Uachtarán na hÉireann agus Ardcheannasaí na bhFórsaí Cosanta a bheith i bhur gcomhluadar inniu ag Comóradh 75 bliain Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le bhur bPríomhfheidhmeannach Cormac Kirwan as ucht an chuiridh.
A chairde, it is an honour, as President of Ireland, and as Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, to be here with you today to mark the 75th anniversary of Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann. May I thank Cormac Kirwan, Chief Executive, for the invitation to join you on this special occasion.
Ní mór dom ar dtús buíochas ó chroí a ghabháil libhse, a iarshaighdiúirí agus le bhur gclanna agus bhur muintir ar fad, as ucht bhur gcuid oibre agus íobairtí ar feadh na mblianta agus sibh ag saothrú ar son na síochána anseo sa bhaile agus i gcéin.
Tuigim nach obair éasca a bhí ann do go leor agaibh agus ar an drochuair gur fágadh cuid agaibh faoi ualach tinnis nó deacrachtaí maireachtála.
Is ón ngéarghá a bhí agus atá ann cuidiú agus cúnamh a chur ar fáil dóibh siúd i gcruachás a d’eascair an eagraíocht seo i 1951.
Since 1951, the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel has played a vital role assisting veterans of our Defence Forces, providing essential professional services, including mental health and homeless services. Across four residential homes in Athlone, Cobh, Dublin and Letterkenny, you provide board and lodging to veterans who do not have a place to call home, those in vulnerable situations in need of compassionate care and practical assistance.
In the spirit of inclusion that your organisation embodies, the services of Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann are available to all veterans, the women and men who served in the Defence Forces, as well as veterans from other countries living in Ireland as the need arises.
One of the driving forces behind the formation of Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann, in 1951, was a severe housing crisis at the time. Now, 75 years on, we are suffering yet another housing crisis, with 17,112 people, including 5,319 children, residing in emergency accommodation in January 2026.
Indeed, I note that you are expanding your homeless services to include a fifth residential home in Cork City very soon. This will increase your capacity from 51 beds to 57 beds, and I understand that there are plans to increase your capacity further. While this is of course to be commended, it is a sad reflection of the scale of the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis that prevails in our country.
As well as these vital homeless services, you also provide mental health services through seven Veteran Support Officers, whether in the form of long-term counselling or counselling for those who need help from time to time. It is a hugely valuable and important service, done in partnership with the HSE, and I know that it has impacted so many in such a positive way, providing light during dark times.
As an organisation, Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann advocates on behalf of veterans without fear or favour. In carrying out your work, you have highlighted a number of obstacles – not least of which is a lack of awareness of the issues facing veterans, along with the lack of meaningful resources to tackle these issues.
We cannot continue to avert our gaze to this hardship. Both of these issues – homelessness and mental healthcare – require urgent attention. The obligation doesn’t rest on your organisation alone, however. We must constantly raise awareness across our society to ensure that your motto – “no veteran left behind” – becomes the lived reality for those who served in our Defence Forces.
Tréaslaím ó chroí libh, a chairde, as an méid atá déanta agus á dhéanamh go dtí seo agaibh ar son leas bhur gcomhghleacaithe.
Tá mé thar a bheith dóchasach go leanfaidh sibh ar aghaidh le bhur gcuid dea-oibre agus nach bhfágfar aon duine a shaothraigh go dúthrachtach ar son na tíre seo sa bhearna bhaoil. Go maire sibh ar scáth a chéile. Bainigí sult anois as bhur n-ócáid cheiliúrtha 75 bliana.
May I conclude by thanking all of the staff of Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann for your invaluable work. May I also take the opportunity to thank the members of the Defence Forces, past and present, for their service, both in Ireland and in numerous countries overseas. You have served our country with such distinction, honour and dignity. You have been a source of pride and a source of hope to all of us with your peacekeeping missions throughout the world and I thank you for your sacrifices in service, and for your role in our country’s proud tradition of peacekeeping.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.