It was instituted on 16 September 1987 as an award for enlisted personnel with at least 10 years' continuous service who had shown exemplary conduct.

The obverse of the medal depicts the figure of Éire (a personification of Ireland) placing a laurel wreath on a kneeling soldier's head.

On the reverse the words THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL are found in raised relief, with the particulars of the recipient engraved in the centre.

The pattern of the ribbon is distinctive; it is orange, with 5 millimetres (0.20 in) green stripes sloping from the wearer's right to left at an angle of 45°.

[1] The medal could be awarded to any eligible non-commissioned officer or private who was deemed to have carried out meritorious service with good conduct.