NITL has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with the Irish Defence Forces with over 20 Officers having completed its postgraduate programmes over the last decade. Edward Sweeney was a guest on board the L.É. Emer when she berthed in Dublin earlier this week.

L.É. Emer was built in Ireland to the basic design of the Naval Service’s first purpose built Offshore Patrol Vessel, the L.É. Deirdre but was modified to improve her stability and speed. Her original BOFORS 40mm L60 gun was recently upgraded to a BOFORS 40mm L70 thus improving the range and accuracy of her main armament. Operationally, L.É. Emer chalked up a notable first when she undertook the first ever deployment of an Irish warship to resupply Irish troops serving with the United Nations in Lebanon in 1979.

Lieutenant Commander Aedh McGinn, Officer Commanding (OC) L.É. Emer, has 20 years service with the Irish Naval Service. He assumed command of L.É. Emer in July 2012 having spent the previous four years in Naval Fleet Operations. In his career to date he has served as Commanding Officer of L.É. Aoife as well as Executive Officer of L.É. Eithne and L.É. Emer. He is a graduate of the University College Cork and is and is nearing completion of NITL’s Executive Masters programme.


Dr. Edward Sweeney of NITL with Lt Gavin McCarthy XO L.É. EMER (left) and Lt Cdr Aedh McGinn OC L.É. EMER (right) at the bridge of L.É. EMER.

NITL would like to thank Lt Cdr Aedh McGinn OC L.É. Emer, Lt Gavin McCarthy Executive Office (XO) L.É. Emer, Lt Dan Manning Marine Engineer Officer (MEO) L.É. Emer and all the crew of L.É. Emer for their hospitality during the recent visit and looks forward to developing further mutually beneficial collaborations with the Defence Forces generally and the Naval Service specifically.