Royal Irish Regiment (1992) - Restructuring

Restructuring

In 2004, a major restructuring of the infantry was announced. It recommended, inter alia, that all the remaining single battalion infantry regiments would be amalgamated. Under normal circumstances, this would have put the Royal Irish Regiment at risk but because of its unique status providing the home defence for Northern Ireland, and as the only remaining Irish line infantry regiment, it was decided to leave the Royal Irish Regiment as it was. This allowed a 'line infantry footprint' to remain in Northern Ireland.

In Northern Ireland the Regiment recruits from all sections of the community and both sides of the sectarian divide. In common with other line infantry regiments it has recruited many non-UK personnel, particularly from across the border in the Republic of Ireland, which permits its citizens to enlist in the British forces, but forbids active recruiting.

The regiment also recruits from overseas countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Fiji and from around the Caribbean.