From TY work experience to UNIFIL's Blue Line

The deployment of more than 300 members of the Defence Forces to Lebanon next month marks the end of an era for Irish peacekeepers in the war-ravaged country.

UNIFIL's near five-decade deployment, in which Irish troops have continuously served, winds down next year.

For one soldier, the mission will also complete a remarkable personal journey.

26-year-old Captain Bláthnaid de Gaillí is from Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

She joined the Defence Forces in 2018.

"I actually went on work experience in transition year to Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny.

"And I really enjoyed the week in there and the little seed was sown that this could be something that I'd like to do.

"And come 6th Year, I applied for the cadetship and thankfully got accepted.

I haven't looked back since," she said.

This will be Captain de Gaillí's first deployment with UNIFIL.

During training this week in the Glen of Imaal with the 128th Battalion, she acknowledged that the final operational mission for Irish soldiers under the UN in Lebanon comes at a challenging time.

"Obviously it's an extremely kinetic environment and a volatile situation, but I’m very excited about it.

This is what we train for and it’s the pinnacle of our career," she said.

Watch our video to hear more from Captain de Gaillí
Read more: End of an era as battalion trains ahead of UNIFIL mission