Irish Defence Forces cap badge

The badge is said to have been designed in 1913 by Eoin MacNeill,[1] a founding member and chairman of the Irish Volunteers,[2] but there is also evidence that points to other origins, notably Canon Peadar O'Leary and The O'Rahilly.

[citation needed] Eventually, the Free State Army adopted the badge for its new uniforms before the Irish Civil War.

Some enlisted ranks, particularly older soldiers, wear the original Brass Badge which, although no longer official issue, is considered a symbol of lengthy service.

This tradition is assumed to have begun on the death of Michael Collins during the Irish Civil War, when officers dulled their badges with boot polish in commemoration of the general.

In the Naval Service, the "Stay-Brite" version of the badge is worn by Seamen and Leading Seaman on their caps and on the operational berets.

Badge of the Defence Forces .
An original Volunteers brass badge dating from circa 1914. The inscription reads Drong Áṫa Cliaṫ ( Drong Átha Cliath in modern orthography ), Irish for 'Dublin Brigade', a variant name for the Dublin Volunteer Brigade.
"Stay-Brite" version of the badge, usually worn by enlisted personnel in the Defence Forces.