Christmas is a little different this year for the 595 Irish soldiers currently serving overseas.
The largest Defence Forces deployment is in South Lebanon with UNIFIL, where over 330 Irish personnel are deployed to maintain a safe and secure environment.
There are also 130 members in Golan Heights in Syria as well as in Mali, Bosnia, Mozambique and Kosovo.
And for some, it was their first Christmas away from home.
Private Cillian Bonnar, from Waterford, said: “This is my first Christmas away from home serving in Lebanon with Defence Forces Ireland and the United Nations.
“Happy Christmas to everyone at home especially to Colm, Mairead, Saoirse and Aishling.”
Airman Kevin Griffin from Carlow said: “To Mam, Dad, Michael, Marion, Emily, David, Sean, Melanie and all my family and friends at home. Sorry I can’t be there this Christmas, I hope you all have a great Christmas and I will see you all in the New Year!”
Also overseas is Kilkenny hurling ace, Richie Reid, who is currently in Lebanon.
He said: “I’d like to wish all my family and friends and my girlfriend Sabrina a Happy Christmas.
“Congratulations to my brother Patrick on the birth of his son Conal and my brother Eoin on the birth of baby girl Sibéal.
“Looking forward to coming home to see everyone and getting back for the club All-Ireland semi-final!”
The Defence Forces has the longest unbroken record of overseas service with the United Nations of any country in the world since first deploying to a United Nations mission in 1958.
