Two NATO warships have arrived in Dublin for a three-day port visit aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation with Ireland.
The Royal Netherlands Navy’s amphibious assault ship HNLMS Johan de Witt and the German Navy’s air-defence frigate FGS Hamburg, both part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), took part in joint exercises with the Irish Naval Service’s LE William Butler Yeats off the Irish coast.
The ships conducted manoeuvring and communication drills designed to demonstrate interoperability between NATO members and Ireland’s naval forces.
Royal Netherlands Navy Commodore Arjen Warnaar, commander of SNMG1, carried out a series of courtesy calls during the visit, meeting Irish officials to strengthen bilateral relations.
A reception hosted aboard HNLMS Johan de Witt brought together representatives from NATO nations, local authorities and members of Ireland’s maritime community.
NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) described the visit as an example of how Standing NATO Maritime Groups maintain a “continuous and credible presence at sea” to uphold security and stability across the North Atlantic. The port call combined operational training, diplomacy and cultural engagement, with crews taking part in recreational and outreach activities around Dublin.
The visit follows a broader programme of NATO engagement in the region, including operations in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean, and reflects ongoing efforts to deepen partnerships with non-member nations such as Ireland.
And the added bonus of a 3 day port visit in Dublin.
“Taxi” Temple Bars please ! 🍺🍺🍺
In for the bank holiday weekend.
Well there’s a thing !!!!
Might have to take a look at the “Temple Bar” Live web Cam, It’s a popular place and always something interesting happening !
Other Irish “ships” were to join but are tied up due to lack of personnel interested in a career in the mighty Irish Navy #freeloaders
Shaw was actually over in Liverpool hosting an Irish event while Aoibhinn was back in harbour after patrols. Recruitment and Retention are trending upwards (to soon to tell if that’s sustained or not of course) and patrol days are expected to be up nearly 200 days over last year by the end of the year.
And given the struggles even the RN has had with Retention and Recruitment and laying up ships that cost more than the entire Irish fleet I’m not sure it makes sense throwing stones.
I like throwing stones.
The Port is a “Stones Throw” from the Bar.
You get the first round ?
Never going back there. They were very rude to me and my friends. Throwing things and using sweary words.
Shame, I found them all very friendly.
My grandpa was a Tan.
Mine was white.
🙂 Now who is silly?
Well then he wasn’t a guest or welcome.