LÉ Eithne (P31)

LÉ "Eithne" (P31) is a Eithne class ship in the Irish Naval Service. The ship is named after Eithne, a tragic heroine and the daughter of the one-eyed Fomorian King, Balor in an early Irish romantic tale.

"Eithne" was originally built as a long range fisheries patrol vessel, intended to be at sea for up to 19 days. It was originally planned to order four vessels of this class, but budget restrictions prevented this.

"Eithne" can also carry a SA365f Dauphin helicopter, and is the only ship in the Irish Naval Service fleet to have a flight deck. Helicopter operations have stopped in recent years, due in part to the purchase of CASA CN235-100MP Persuader Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and difficulties with Air Corps personnel on the ship. The vessel was fitted with retractable fin stabilisers to reduce rolling during helicopter operations at sea.

"Eithne" is currently the flagship of the Irish Naval Service.

"Eithne" was the last ship to have been built in the Republic of Ireland, constructed at Verlome Dockyard at Rushbrook, Cork and completed in 1984. Shipbuilding operations ceased at the yard in 1984, and the yard went into receivership.

External links

* [http://www.military.ie/naval/flotilla/p31/eithne.htm IDF LÉ "Eithne" webpage]