Defence Forces

An Cosantóir (Irish for "The Defender") is the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces. It was originally founded in December 1940 by Colonel Michael Joe Costello as a means of disseminating training material among the Local Security Force (LSF) but later became the newspaper of Costello's First Division. After World War Two, An Cosantóir achieved something of a journalistic coup by becoming one of the first journals to publish first hand accounts of the German viewpoint.

In its current form An Cosantóir is a 36-page full colour A4 size publication, issued 10 times per year. The journal carries information on all elements of the Irish Defence Forces: Army, Naval Service, Air Corps, and the Reserve. Topics cover all aspects of military life, including training, overseas operations, new equipment, personalities, events, international military affairs, humanitarian work, unit activities, and military history.

Current monthly circulation of the magazine stands at 5,000 and the magazine can be purchased from selected newsagents or can be received every month through the post by subscription. Go to the Subscribe page for more information.

An Cosantóir is published by Public Relations Section, Defence Forces Headquarters, Parkgate, Infirmary Road, Dublin 7.

An Cosantóir Manager: Capt Rory Esler. An Cosantóir Editor: Sgt Dave Nagle.

www.DFMagazine.ie is the enhanced web presence of An Cosantóir magazine and aims to offer readers of the magazine an added depth to their knowledge of the fast-changing Irish Defence Forces. Over the coming months, we will be incorporating a range of innovative developments on this site, so please bookmark us and check back regularly. We would also greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to send us some Feedback.