- LÉ Orla (P41)
LÉ Orla (P41) is a sclass|Peacock|patrol vessel in the
Irish Naval Service . She is the sister ship to LÉ Ciara. They were originally constructed in1984 for theRoyal Navy byHall Russell , [ [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm198889/cmhansrd/1989-10-23/Writtens-9.html House of Commons Hansard Debates for 23 Oct 1989 ] ] these two vessels, along with three others formed the Peacock Class. "Orla" was the former HMS "Swift" (P243) and she passed to the Irish Naval Service in1988 . As HMS Swift, the vessel formed part of theHong Kong patrol. In late August 2008 LE Orla was ordered to Broadhaven bay off the coast of north west County Mayo to attempt to quell local and international resistance to Royal Dutch Shell's controversial Corrib Gas Projectpecifications
LÉ Orla (P41) has 712 tons displacement, fully loaded, launched in 1984 and bought by the Irish government in 1988. She is powered by two Crossley Pielstick 18 PA6V 280 diesels rated at 14000 hp providing a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 4000 km at 17 knots. [http://www.military.ie/naval/orla.htm IDF LÉ "Orla" webpage] ] She carries a crew of 29, including six officers. She is armed with one 76 mm/62 OTO Melara compact gun; two 12.7 mm machine-guns and four 7.62 mm machine-guns
Etymology
The ship is named after Orla, a grand niece of
Brian Boru . She was murdered by her husband around1090 . The crest shows the arms of Clare on the top segment and a sword and royal collar on the base.References
External links
* [http://www.military.ie/naval/flotilla/p41/orla.htm IDF LÉ "Orla" webpage]
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