Eithne-class

Summary

Description

LÉ Eithne (P31) served as a patrol vessel within the Irish Naval Service, named after a character from an early Irish romantic tale. As the flagship of the fleet, she stood out for her unique capabilities and historical significance.

Originally envisaged as the lead ship of the Eithne-class for long-range fisheries patrol, she was constructed to endure up to 30 days at sea. Uniquely designed to accommodate a SA365F Dauphin helicopter, Eithne was outfitted with a flight deck, distinguishing her from other vessels in the Irish Naval Service. The use of her helicopter capabilities, however, was mostly limited to the early years of service and ceased with the decommissioning of the Dauphin helicopters and the acquisition of CASA CN235-100MP Persuader Maritime Patrol Aircraft. To aid in the stabilization for helicopter operations, the vessel featured retractable fin stabilizers.

Eithne, the final ship built in Ireland by the Verolme Dockyard in County Cork, was completed in 1984, the same year the dockyard closed due to a lack of orders, making its construction a historical footnote in Irish shipbuilding. The vessel represented Ireland at the International Fleet Review in Portsmouth, England in July 2005. In 2006, Eithne embarked on a notable voyage to the southern hemisphere, visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina, to participate in events dedicated to Admiral William Brown, an Irish-born Argentine naval hero, and returned with his statue.

In 2014, asbestos was discovered onboard Eithne, prompting a decontamination effort that also affected other vessels in the service. The following year, Eithne was called to take part in the EU's Mediterranean rescue missions, wherein from 2015 to 2017 she played a crucial role, saving hundreds of migrants during each deployment.

Technical upgrades followed with the implementation of the WECDIS in 2018, allowing Eithne to operate with paperless navigation. However, in 2019, the vessel was temporarily withdrawn from operations due to personnel shortages, creating some controversy regarding the public messaging about the vessel's status. Reactivated in March 2020, Eithne was deployed to Cork in support of Ireland's efforts against the coronavirus pandemic.

Ultimately, Eithne, along with two other vessels, was decommissioned in July 2022, as part of a transition to a new multi-role vessel.

Technical specifications

Photo of Eithne class