The Irish Brigades, 1685–2006

David Murphy

'May I congratulate the Members of the Military Heritage of Ireland Trust for their initiative and vision in commissioning this publication and may I again pay tribute to Dr David Murphy for providing this comprehensive guide. It will be a most valuable asset for researchers, historians and general readers alike', Speech by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Willie O'Dea, T.D., at the launch.

'This book is in effect a military history of the Irish from the seventeenth to the twenty-first centuries … This is a sweeping history that covers every continent on which wars were fought and countries as far afield as Argentina, America, Italy and South Africa, in fact anywhere that had an Irish unit fighting … It is well illustrated with photographs, maps and charts, and a worthy addition to the recent books on Irish military history', Books Ireland.

'The range of the book and the level of detail are remarkable … A most welcome addition to Irish military history', Irish Sword.

'Many will have anticipated eagerly a work such as this and the book must be welcomed', Richard Doherty, Warbooksoutnow.

'If you are interested in Irish military history, this book is a must … A labour of love and a book that is going on to my reference shelf and is staying there', Books Ireland (February 2008).

'The author has provided in this invaluable reference of Irish military service past and present, brief histories of an amazing number of units, choosing as his start date 1685 when James II came to the throne', The Gallipolian (Spring 2008).

‘[A]n exhaustive compilation of Irish regiments throughout the world over the past three hundred years and more … Of interest to military historians, genealogists and Irish patriots world wide’, Book News (May 2008).

‘This most informative book finishes with a description of Ireland’s national forces from the foundation of its national army in 1923. The summaries of all the regiments make a handy and useful addition to British and Irish regimental history and enables one to find quickly the location of all of the Irish units. The book contains many fine illustrations’, Bob Wyatt, The Bulletin of the Military Historical Society (February 2008).

‘In this book, David Murphy details the location of organised Irish military formations, their organisation, deployment, commanding officers, colours, mascots, mottoes – and nicknames, across four centuries and in most corners of the world. David Murphy’s work … commissioned by the Military Heritage of Ireland Trust [is an] essential addition to the book shelves of anyone interested in military history’, Ireland of the Welcomes.