Garda Medals


The two most common medals awarded to the Garda are the long service medal which was awarded for 22 years services, the ribbon is green and white and the medal is issued un-named.



The other was issued to all serving Garda in 1972 to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the force.


Garda Millennium Medal


Issued in 2000 to all serving members of An Garda Siocahana of all ranks to commemorate the Millennium year.. The medal is known as the Millennium Medal.

Image courtesy of N. Dwan




The medal was issued unnamed.

Image courtesy of N. Dwan


Pilgrimage to Rome 1982 Medal




Issued to members of the Garda who took part in the 60th Anniversary of the founding of An Garda Siochana pilgrimage to Rome held in 1982. The pilgrimage took place from the 17th to the 24th of April and was attended by over one thousand Garda ex-Garda and their families. Garda Commissioner Patrick McLoughlin presented a chalice to Pope John Paul II during a private audience with the Pope. The chalice was inscribed His Holiness Pope John Paul II: Devotion and Loyalty: Guardians of the peace of Ireland. Rome 1982. The chalice was also engraved with the design of the medal.


Including pin bar and ribbon the medal is 110mm long, the medal disc is 40mm across.

Uniform


A first pattern Garda Siochana coat. This eight buttoned, high neck coat is the first type of uniform used by An Garda Siochana, and was used while on duty in city locations.


Garda belt buckle.


Garda four panel helmet. The helmet was worn from 1922 up to the 1940s when it was replaced by the six panel in the 1950s. The helmet is referred to as the Ball-Topped helmet because of the distinctive ball finial on the top, the 1940s issue six panel had a rose finial. The first Garda helmet was a four panelled blue cloth, cork helmet, identical in style to the home service other ranks pattern helmet worn by enlisted ranks in the British army.  

Garda 7cm Helmet Day Badge. This style of badge was worn on the Gard four and six panel helmet. In 1925 when the DMP became part of the Garda this style of badge replaced the DMP badge on the 4 panel helmet. The badge measures 7cm across and has three log fixing on the back.



Garda 7cm Helmet night Badge. This style of badge was worn on the Gard four and six panel helmet. In 1925 when the DMP became part of the Garda this style of badge replaced the DMP badge on the 4 panel helmet. The badge measures 7cm across and has three log fixing on the back. Identical in design to the day badge it is blackened to reduce visibility of the badge.