NAME: Warrant Officer John Walsh
Age: 56
FROM: Kilkenny
JOB: Master at arms Naval Base
HOBBIES: Reading, GAA, Gardening.
COMMENTS: After my 39 years in the Naval Service, this was a trip of a lifetime. Some of the highlights for me are as follows: Crossing the equator for the first time, and the ceremony and pageantry that went with it. The magnificent views of Rio from the Christ the Redeemer and the Sugar Loaf Mountain. I especially enjoyed working with the Rio Street Children On Epsom Farm in Brazil. Also witnessing the sheer pleasure of the under privileged children that received a tour and some gifts FROM the ship’s company
CAPTAIN: John has huge experience and the energy of a teenager. He contributed in a significant manner to the success of the deployment and his advice was always pertinent, appropriate and timely – many thanks John – now I have a few favours to ask!

NAME: SCPO Robert Byrne
Age: 52
FROM: Dublin
JOB: Cox’n
HOBBIES: Drama, Singing
COMMENTS: As I come to the end of my seagoing career I will look back on this deployment with great fondness. What made the trip for me were the people. The people we met along the way during the many functions held onboard, the delight in the children’s faces when we hosted special parties for them. But most of all I’ll remember a great crew that bonded together during our long voyage of Discovery to the South Atlantic
CAPTAIN: Robbie has been my coxswain since I arrived here on LE EITHNE. I will miss his softly spoken efficient nature and his courteous manner especially on those rare occasions when he knew it was appropriate to invite me for a pint.

NAME: PO Paul McCarthy
Age: 37
FROM: Dublin
JOB: Bosun
HOBBIES: Diving, Rugby
COMMENTS: A great experience to cross the equator on an Irish Naval Vessel. Great to see the sights of South America.
CAPTAIN: Steven Segal, sorry, Paul is a warrior and a diver and a big man an asset for any ship. He is also a perfectionist which is great when you have a lady like Eithne who likes to look good. Thanks Paul.

NAME: PO Brendan Madden
Age: 39
FROM: Cork
JOB PO Gunner
HOBBIES: Sports.
COMMENTS: A great experience to cross the equator on an Irish Naval Vessel. Great to see the sights of South America, and to meet some wonderful people like some of the members of the Old Christians RFC who survived the horrific plane crash in the Andes.
CAPTAIN: This is Brendan’s last patrol on LE Eithne for the next few years at least. During my time he has carried out his duties, and on occasions those of the coxswain and bosun to a very high standard. He is a gentleman who I will miss – thanks Brendan for all your support..

NAME: L/SEA Noel Dunne
Age: 36
FROM: Cork
JOB: Leading Gunner
HOBBIES: Sports and in particular Rugby.
COMMENTS: The highlight of the deployment for me was the day we spent at Old Christians Rugby Club. It was a moving experience to meet listen and talk to some of the survivors of the Andes plane crash made famous by the film Alive. It was a pleasure to help under privileged children at parties on board, and help them to have a good time.
CAPTAIN: Noel is an outstanding NCO and a diver. His leadership and conduct has been an example to the rest of the branch. His good spirits and attitude through out the trip has been great for the morale of all branches.

NAME: L/SEA Courtney Gibbons
Age: 28
FROM: Dublin
JOB: Safety NCO
HOBBIES: Diving, Music.
COMMENTS: I found the trip very enlightening, It gave me a chance to experience new cultures and to see how other people live. The highlight for me would be the Santana Concert in Rio (Brazil).
CAPTAIN: Courtney is always in good form, cheerful and good natured – his personality rubs off on all those around him – a great asset.

NAME: L/Sea Gordan Cummins
Age: 33
FROM: Waterford
JOB: Bosun’s Mate
HOBBIES: Horse Riding and Diving
COMMENTS: It was a great experience to travel to South America with the Navy, and something to be proud of in the future. The statue of Christ the Redeemer was truly a magnificent sight.
CAPTAIN: Gordan, another diver is always cheerful an old friend from my first command LE Orla.

NAME: A/Sea Robert Wallace
Age: 27
FROM: Cork
JOB: Jag Cox’n
HOBBIES: Sailing and Soccer
COMMENTS: Certainly the most eventful and satisfying deployment that I have been assigned to. For me Rio De Janeiro stood out the most. It was a true scenic phenomenon. A real sense of achievement was felt after a very worthwhile humanitarian task which \I was involved with in Fortaleza.
CAPTAIN: Robert is our most experienced seaman onboard, and this has reflected in his performance when he was elevated to ic of a steaming watch for the duration of the deployment. This is his last patrol as he will commence training as a Non Commisioned Officer on return to Ireland best of luck Rob.

NAME: A/Sea Adam Purcell
Age: 25
FROM: Cork
JOB: Jag Cox’n
HOBBIES: Sports
COMMENTS: Travelling to South America with some of your closest friends is something some people only dream about. from the ceremony when we left the Naval Base to the crossing of the Equator, and the reception received on our arrival in Argentina, it was all incredible. For me though the absolute highlight of the trip was the visit to the Old Christians RFC in Montevideo, having seen the film (Alive) a few years back I was aware of the story behind their plight, and then meeting a real life hero was definitely the highlight of my trip.
CAPTAIN: Again Adam is one of the more experienced seamen onboard. He is a highly skilled Jag Cox’x and this was proven the day he landed the divers onboard the navigational hazard (i.e. orange buoy) in difficult conditions.

NAME: A/SEA Niall Carney
Age: 27
FROM: Mayo
JOB: Jag Cox’n
HOBBIES: Reading and swimming
COMMENTS: It was a most enjoyable voyage; everyone worked hard and pulled together to make things go well. It was great to work with disadvantAged children, and to make a difference in their lives, and they were so grateful for what little gifts and toys etc that they received from us. It was a great honour to represent Ireland abroad. Hopefully there will be a ship in Argentina for the 150th anniversary of Admiral Brown’s death. Overall it was a great trip and fantastic experience, and I would like to do it again.
CAPTAIN: Niall is a townie of mine – so he is great! Always reliable and a hard worker. He is an experienced and highly capable part of the Bofors Crew, and an excellent Jag Cox’n.

NAME: A/Sea Jenny Blackwell
Age: 22
FROM: West Meath
JOB: Jag Cox’n
HOBBIES: Horse Riding
COMMENTS: The trip to Argentina was the furthest I had ever been from Ireland. I was both anxious but very excited. I was worried about many things i.e. weather, being confined in a ship for so long and most of all our welcome. But I could not have been prepared for the welcome I received. Getting to know a great crew, enjoying the dart tournaments, quiz’s etc, and the visit to Rio and its amazing views. The beautiful children who I will never forget.
CAPTAIN: Jenny is one of the long standing members of the seaman’s division onboard. She is diligent and conscientious and always cheerful and smiling. She is also a Jag Cox’n and gunner of note.

NAME: A/Sea Aidan Hithchens
Age: 21
FROM: Tipperary
JOB: Guns Crews
HOBBIES: Sports in particular Hurling and soccer
COMMENTS: Before I left for South America I thought the trip was going to be exciting, but this was something special. The sunshine, the atmosphere, the friendly people and the spectacular views of all the countries we visited. I was lucky to be on duty the day the members of the Argentine Special Olympics personnel came onboard, they enjoyed the day so much and we enjoyed having them. Another highlight in Buenos Aires was the visit to the hospital for sick children. It was fortunate that we were in a position to give some of these needy children some toys and other gifts donated by children and organizations back at home in a more well off position. It is a trip that I will never forget.
CAPTAIN: Aidan had completed his time onboard L.E Eithne and put in an application to remain onboard for the deployment. He is a pleasant and easy going young man. I will miss his gentle nature.

NAME: A/Sea Niamh Crowley
Age: 20
FROM: Cork
JOB: Gunner’s Mate
HOBBIES: Reading, Kickboxing.
COMMENTS: It was an experience. Very enjoyable all the way. Night Life was brilliant everywhere!! Sights and shopping were great in Rio. The craic on the Ship was brilliant, Great Trip.
CAPTAIN: An outstanding young seaman. She is hard working and enthusiastic no matter what the task is, and she has proven to be an excellent Gunners Mate.

NAME: O/SEA Robert McCarthy
Age: 19
FROM: Cork
JOB: Guns Crews
HOBBIES: Hurling
COMMENTS: Coming to the end of my recruit training, I heard of L.E Eithne’s deployment to South America, I was then posted for this once in a lifetime trip. I met loads of friends on the trip and it gave me a great opportunity to learn my trade as a seaman. One of the most enjoyable parts of the trip was being able to help the under privileged children of South America. This was a once in lifetime trip and I’m glad that I will always be able to say that I was part of the Best Little Flagship in the World, on the biggest little deployment ever!
CAPTAIN: Robert is a young seaman who enjoyed the deployment, and the experience will stand to him. He has cutting sense of humour and is a great asset to the ship

NAME: O/Sea Niall Cremin
Age: 20
FROM: Limerick
JOB: Guns Crews
HOBBIES: Hurling
COMMENTS: My favourite moment of the trip was knowing that I was the first Limerick man, to cross the Equator on an Irish Naval Ship. One of the highlights of the trip was being part of the boats crew when we sank the Orange Buoy (Navigational Hazard). Meeting new people and trying to learn a small bit of their languAge. It makes me feel like I made a difference on the trip, and L.E Eithne’s history
CAPTAIN: Niall is a young man who will benefit from the experience of the deployment. He is on the first step of what will be a very fruitful career in the Naval Service.

NAME: A/SEA Robert Buckley
Age: 25
FROM: Cork
JOB: Guns Crews
HOBBIES: Sports
COMMENTS: I have just under five years service done, and I have to say that volunteering for this trip has been the best decision and highlight of my career to date. The highlights included crossing the Equator Ceremony. The people I met that work with under privileged children, the beaches of Fortaleza, and the day the CO called me in to tell me that my mother called the Gerry Ryan show RTE, to speak to the Skipper to ask if I was ok.
CAPTAIN: Robert is experienced seaman who volunteered for the deployment. He has been a steady and mature member of the seaman’s division. Sadly he will be leaving us when the ship goes alongside.

NAME: A/SEA Lee Coughlan
Age: 25
FROM: Cork
JOBS: Guns Crews
HOBBIES: Kickboxing.
COMMENTS: The highlight for the trip for me was the nightlife, the beaches and the best thing of all was when we had the sick and homeless kids onboard. It was great to see the look on their faces when we gave them toys.
CAPTAIN: Lee is an experienced Seaman, a very diligent and hard worker and is an asset to any ships company. I am sorry to see that Lee will soon leave the Navy but I am happy to say he will open a Pub in the West Of Ireland!

NAME: O/Sea Fergal McDonagh
Age: 19
FROM: Dublin
JOBS: Guns Crews
HOBBIES: Boxing
COMMENTS: My highlights for the South American Deployment were Argentina and the nights out. Going to the biggest and the best clubs was brilliant. Banging out the tunes was animal. Rio De Janeiro and taking a trip up to the Christ the Redeemer Statue with its spectacular views was a once in lifetime opportunity and well worth it. All together I thought the trip was excellent.
CAPTAIN: Fergal joined the ship prior to the deployment, as a young seaman, but has proven to be very eager and enthusiastic, an excellent addition to the ship’s company.

NAME: L/SEA Rachael Collopy
Age: 25
FROM: Limerick
JOBS NSR
HOBBIES: Writing and speaking Spanish.
COMMENTS: The Sea itself was the greatest highlight for me (the waters the weather and the skies). Between Haulbowline Buenos Aires, Rio and back again, we experienced every type of weather from Force 9 gales to a sweltering 36 degrees, to perfect days when the water surface was like a pane of glass. Just a warm breeze blue each morning and evening there was a different sunrise and sunset to enjoy in every color imaginable, and the night sky’s were the clearest and most beautiful you will ever see. So we saw all the southern sky’s had to offer, constellations and even Venus, something us Northern Hemisphereans will never see again, and mores the pity.
CAPTAIN: Rachel has joined the ships company prior to the deployment as a member of the Naval Reserve. Her fluency in Spanish has been an invaluable asset to the ship during the duration of the trip – Rachel thanks for all your help.

NAME: A/SEA Helen Meredith
Age: 20
FROM: Cork
JOBS: NSR
HOBBIES: Reading
COMMENTS: I could never have anticipated the experience that I have had on this deployment to South America. from playing darts with my fellow crew members and friends in the hangar to seeing some of the most famous and amazing sights in the world. This trip was truly an experience of a lifetime.
CAPTAIN: Helen again is a member of the Naval Reserve, she has proven to be a credit to the NSR. She has carried out any task assigned to her brilliantly and her passed experience onboard has benefited her on the deployment.