Irish Guards
The Irish Guards (IG) is one of the Foot Guards regiments of the British Army and is part of the Guards Division. Together with the Royal Irish Regiment, it is one of the two Irish infantry regiments in the British Army.[2][3] The regiment has participated in campaigns in the First World War, the Second World War, the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan as well as numerous other operations throughout its history. The Irish Guards claim six Victoria Cross recipients, four from the First World War and two from the Second World War.
This article is about the regiment in the British Army. For the police force of Ireland commonly referred to as "the Guards", see Garda Síochána. For the regiment in the Royal Irish Army, see Royal Irish Regiment of Foot Guards. For the University of Notre Dame marching band contingent, see Irish Guard (Notre Dame).Irish Guards
1 April 1900 – present
1st Battalion - Security Force Assistance[1]
No. 9 Company - Public Duties
No. 12 Company - Public Duties
No. 15 Company - Reserve
One battalion
Three independent companies
RHQ – London
1st Battalion – Aldershot Garrison
The Micks
Latin: Quis Separabit? ("Who Shall Separate [Us]?")
Quick – St Patrick's Day
Slow – Let Erin Remember
St. Patrick's blue
Right side of Bearskin cap
IG
Current role and organisation[edit]
In the light infantry role the 1st Battalion comprised five companies; Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Companies, and the Headquarters Company.[37] Following the Integrated Review and after the Queen's Birthday Parade 2022, 1st Battalion took on the security force assistance role for 4 years. With a much-reduced establishment, this role required a substantial readjustment to the battalion. Concurrently, the Irish Guards raised two public duties incremental companies (PDICs).[38] These are Numbers 9 and 12 Companies, taking on Irish Guardsmen fresh out of the Infantry Training Centre before the young soldiers progress to the 1st Battalion.[1][39] Nos. 9 and 12 Company carry on the customs and traditions of the former 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards.[1] Finally there is Number 15 (Loos) Company in the Army Reserve, based at Flodden Road, London, which is operationally organisaed as part of 1st Battalion, London Guards.[40]
Recruitment[edit]
The regiment recruits in Northern Ireland and among residents of Irish extraction in mainland Britain. Although restrictions in Ireland's Defence Act make it illegal to induce, procure or persuade enlistment of any citizen of Ireland into the military of another state,[41] people from the Republic do frequently enlist in the Regiment.[42]
Motto[edit]
The regiment takes its motto, Quis Separabit?, or "Who shall separate us?" from the Order of St Patrick.[52]
Nickname[edit]
The Irish Guards are known throughout the British Army as "the Micks" or "Fighting Micks." The term "Mick" can be an offensive term for a person of Irish descent; however it is proudly used internally within the regiment and has no negative connotation when referring to the Irish Guards.[53][54]
The regiment's battle honours are as follows:[63]
Colonels-in-Chief[edit]
King Edward VII assumed the colonelcy-in-chief of the regiment on his accession,[84] and subsequent monarchs have also been colonel-in-chief.[85]
British Army regiments typically have an honorary colonel, often a member of the royal family or a prominent retired military officer with connections to the regiment.
The Irish Guards colonels have been:
The Regimental Lieutenant Colonels have included:[90]
Commanding Officers have included (since 2001):[90]
The Irish Guards and other Guards regiments have a long-standing connection to The Parachute Regiment. Irish Guardsmen who have completed P Company can be seconded to the Guards Parachute Platoon, which is currently attached to the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. The Guards Parachute Platoon maintains the tradition established by Number 1 (Guards) Independent Parachute Company that was part of the original Pathfinder Group of 16th Parachute Brigade, which has since been designated as the 16th Air Assault Brigade.[114]