Stoneybatter in Dublin in County Dublin, Leinster, Ireland — Mid-East (and Dublin)

Lebanon

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 3, 2025

1. Lebanon Marker

Inscription.

Lebanon. . LEBANON UNIFIL / May 1978 - PRESENT DAY Number of Tours Served: 32,000+ / Casualties 47, Why were the Irish there?. . When the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) relocated to Lebanon, the Organisation's action against Israel led to Israeli counterattacks in Lebanon. These attacks in addition to growing Palestinian strength led to civil war in 19[7]5 involving Christian, Muslim, Druze and Palestinian groups. State institutions in Lebanon collapsed and the Lebanese army fragmented along religious lines., . After a Palestinian attac[k] near Tel Aviv that killed 37 Israeli citizens, Israel invaded Lebanon. Lebanon protested to the UN and the Security Council established a peacekeeping force for the region, calling for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops., What was it like?. . As a result of Israeli failure to completely withdraw, the actions of the Israeli proxies in the South Lebanese Army and a Christian Militia known as the De Factor Forces (DFF), stalemate arose., . The Battle of A Tiri in April 1980 resulted as the culmination of conflicts between the Israeli and UN forces. Fo[u]r Defence Forces soldiers received the Military Medal for Gallantry for their actions during the battle., . The Israeli Defence [F]orces withdrew from Lebanon partially in 1985, establishing a 'security zone' along the border known as the Israeli Controlled Area (ICA)., . Two major bombardments by the Israelis in 1993 and 1996 led to the deaths of 110 Lebanese citizens. The Israeli government agreed to withdraw fully in April 2000, and the Blue Line was established., . Irish troops were noted for their involvement in the protection of ordinary people in South Lebanon, particularly their work with the Tibnine Orphanage. Troops worked on construction projects, entertained the children, and helped raise funds., . In October 2006, Defence Forces in Lebanon consisted of a Mobile Mechanised Infantry Group. These troops operated in reconnaissance, patrolling and security roles alongside a Finnish engineering company as part of a joint Irish-Finnish Battalion., . The Infantry Company Group withdrew in 2007, however the Irish Defence Forces remained committed to UNIFIL, with nine personnel serving in the UNIFIL HQ in Naquora., . In June 2011 until Nov 2013, the Irish Defence Forces deployed a Mechanized Infantry Battalion of approx 440 personnel to UNIFIL, as in the past this unit was involved in peacekeeping operations., . The Infantry Battalion, deployed in UNIFIL's Sector West continued to be involved in this area's Peace Keeping Mission. Their duties included manning two Posts along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel. The units also carried out patrolling, ground holding and humanitarian operations. As a mechanised Infantry Battalion the unit was equipped with MOWAG Piranha III APCs, Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles (GR32), heavy machine guns, anti-tank guns and Javelin missiles, heavy and medium mortars, [and] reconnaissance surveillance equipment., . As of Nov 2013, the unit is now operating as an Infantry Group based at UNP 2-45 in UNIFIL Sector West. In addition there are personnel serving in UNIFIL HQ near Naquora and personnel serving in Sector West HQ, Shama., . The UNIFIL mission of Monitor, Support, and Assist involves extensive mobile patrolling throughout the Irish area of operations, including ground-holding, monitoring the Blue Line and humanitarian operations. Operations are conducted on a "High visibility, low profile" basis with access to armour if needed; soft skin vehicles are predominantly used for interaction with the local population.

LEBANON
UNIFIL / May 1978 - PRESENT DAY
Number of Tours Served: 32,000+ / Casualties 47

Why were the Irish there?
• When the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) relocated to Lebanon, the Organisation's action against Israel led to Israeli counterattacks in Lebanon. These attacks in addition to growing Palestinian strength led to civil war in 19[7]5 involving Christian, Muslim, Druze and Palestinian groups. State institutions in Lebanon collapsed and the Lebanese army fragmented along religious lines.

• After a Palestinian attac[k] near Tel Aviv that killed 37 Israeli citizens, Israel invaded Lebanon. Lebanon protested to the UN and the Security Council established a peacekeeping force for the region, calling for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.

What was it like?
• As a result of Israeli failure to completely withdraw, the actions of the Israeli proxies in the South Lebanese Army and a Christian Militia known as the De Factor Forces (DFF), stalemate arose.

• The Battle of A Tiri in April 1980 resulted as the culmination of conflicts between the Israeli and UN forces. Fo[u]r Defence Forces soldiers received the Military Medal for Gallantry for their actions during the battle.

• The Israeli Defence [F]orces withdrew from Lebanon partially in 1985, establishing a 'security zone' along the border known as the Israeli Controlled Area (ICA).

• Two major bombardments by the Israelis in 1993 and 1996 led to the deaths of 110 Lebanese citizens. The Israeli government agreed to withdraw fully in April 2000, and the Blue Line was established.

• Irish troops were noted for their involvement in the protection of ordinary people in South Lebanon, particularly their work with the Tibnine Orphanage. Troops worked on construction projects, entertained the children, and helped raise funds.

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• In October 2006, Defence Forces in Lebanon consisted of a Mobile Mechanised Infantry Group. These troops operated in reconnaissance, patrolling and security roles alongside a Finnish engineering company as part of a joint Irish-Finnish Battalion.

• The Infantry Company Group withdrew in 2007, however the Irish Defence Forces remained committed to UNIFIL, with nine personnel serving in the UNIFIL HQ in Naquora.

• In June 2011 until Nov 2013, the Irish Defence Forces deployed a Mechanized Infantry Battalion of approx 440 personnel to UNIFIL, as in the past this unit was involved in peacekeeping operations.

• The Infantry Battalion, deployed in UNIFIL's Sector West continued to be involved in this area's Peace Keeping Mission. Their duties included manning two Posts along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel. The units also carried out patrolling, ground holding and humanitarian operations. As a mechanised Infantry Battalion the unit was equipped with MOWAG Piranha III APCs, Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles (GR32), heavy machine guns, anti-tank guns and Javelin missiles, heavy and medium mortars, [and] reconnaissance surveillance

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 3, 2025

2. Lebanon Marker

Far right marker of the three

equipment.

• As of Nov 2013, the unit is now operating as an Infantry Group based at UNP 2-45 in UNIFIL Sector West. In addition there are personnel serving in UNIFIL HQ near Naquora and personnel serving in Sector West HQ, Shama.

• The UNIFIL mission of Monitor, Support, and Assist involves extensive mobile patrolling throughout the Irish area of operations, including ground-holding, monitoring the Blue Line and humanitarian operations. Operations are conducted on a "High visibility, low profile" basis with access to armour if needed; soft skin vehicles are predominantly used for interaction with the local population.

Erected by Irish United Nations Veterans Association.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Peace • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1978.

Location. 53° 21.056′ N, 6° 17.178′ W. Memorial is in Dublin, Leinster, in County Dublin. It is in Stoneybatter. It can be reached from Mount Temple Road. Marker is on the Irish United Nations Veterans Association Headquarters grounds. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 6

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Mount Temple Road, Dublin, Leinster D07 A3Y4, Ireland. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Ancient East.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

on the Island of Ireland,

on the Celtic Fringe,

in the European Union,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Somalia (here, next to this marker); Chad - Somalia (here, next to this marker); IUNVA House and memorial / Teach agus Cuimneachan CÉINA (a few steps from this marker); Deceased United Nations Veterans Memorial Cross (a few steps from this marker); Cyprus - Sinai (a few steps from this marker); Congo (a few steps from this marker); United Nations Irish Peacekeepers Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Irish Defence Forces Headquarters Flag Pole Remnant (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dublin.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 95 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.