Chaplains to the Forces

Chaplains are appointed to a Military Installation by their Bishop or Religious Superior after consulation with the Head Chaplain and following approval by the Minister for Defence.

At present there are fifteen chaplains serving the Defence Forces. One or two of these will be overseas at any time and their duties are normally covered by a substitute clergyman.

Rev Des Campion, Rev Séamus Madigan, Rev PJ Somers, Lt Gen Dermot Earley, Mrs Mary McAleese & Dr Martin McAleese, Rev Robert McCabe, Rev Gerard O'Neill, Rt Rev Eoin Thynne & Rev Pat Mernagh during President's visit to the Military Camp in Lourdes.

All bring with them qualifications and skills in from a wide range of pastoral care situations as university chaplains and lecturers, former missionaries, teachers, musicians, broadcasting, sportsmen.

These skills blend in with the opportunities to engage with the personnel of the Defence Forces in their work, prayer and in dealing with their families.

Chaplains do not carry rank. Instead they are given the title "Chaplain to the Forces" (CF).

Rt Rev Eoin Thynne HCF
Head Chaplain
DFHQ, Dublin

Rev Tom Brady CF
Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa,
Renmore, Galway

Rev Des Campion CF
Naval Base, Haulbowline

Rev Jerry Carroll CF
Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel

Rev Gerard Dowd CF
Custume Barracks, Athlone

Rev Robert McCabe CF
Gormanston Camp, Co Meath

Rec Dan McCarthy CF
Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny

Rev Bernard McCay-
Morrissey CF
Aiken Barracks, Dundalk,
Co Louth

Rev Seán McDermott CF
Cavan Barracks

Rt Rev John McDonald CF
DFTC, The Curragh,
County Kildare

Rev Séamus Madigan CF
Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick

V Rev John Marsden CF
Church of Ireland, DFTC,
The Curragh, County Kildare

Rev Pat Mernagh CF
McKee Barracks, Dublin

Rev Gerard O'Neill CF
Collins Barracks, Cork

Rev PJ Somers CF
DFTC, The Curragh,
County Kildare

Rev Tom Tuohy CF
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin (pro-tem)

Rev David Tyndall CF
Cathal Brugha Barracks,
Rathmines, Dublin 6

Rev Alan Ward CF
Finner Camp, County Donegal