An Cosantóir (Irish pronunciation: [ənˠ ˈkɔsˠən̪ˠt̪ˠoːɾʲ]; meaning "The Defender") is the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces. It was originally established in December 1940 by Colonel Michael Joe Costello as a means of disseminating training material among the Local Security Force (LSF), the forerunner to the Army Reserve, but later became the newspaper of Costello's First Division.[2]

An Cosantóir
FounderMichael Joe Costello
Founded1940[1]
CountryIreland
LanguageEnglish
Websitedfmagazine.ie

In its current form, An Cosantóir is a 40-page colour A4 size publication, issued 10 times per year.[3] The magazine carries information on various elements of the Irish Defence Forces. Topics cover different aspects of military life, including training, overseas operations, new equipment, personalities, events, international military affairs, humanitarian work, unit activities, and military history.[4][5]

An Cosantóir is published by the Public Relations Section, Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) with offices at Ceannt Barracks in the Curragh Camp.[6][7]

It has a monthly readership of around 25,000, and up to 45,000 readers online,[3] and is sold in approximately 200 outlets around Ireland.[8]

An Cosantóir holds an annual 10km road race event in the Phoenix Park in autumn for Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces personnel, Department of Defence staff, veterans and invited guests.[4]

Back issues of An Cosantóir dating back to 1940 are available online.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ "Publications - An Cosantóir". military.ie. Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  2. ^ "An Cosantóir - The Defence Forces Magazine". military.ie. Defence Forces Ireland. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  3. ^ a b "About Us". dfmagazine.ie. An Cosantóir. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b "The Official Magazine of the Defence Forces". dfmagazine.ie. An Cosantóir. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  5. ^ "An Cosantóir 1916 Commemorative Issue". kilmainhamtales.ie. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  6. ^ "Meet The Team". dfmagazine.ie. An Cosantóir. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  7. ^ "An Cosantóir wins the European Military Press Association's 'Best Article 2013' award". European Military Press Association. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  8. ^ "An Cosantóir Magazine - The Defence Forces Magazine". MediaStreet.ie. 30 October 2016. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Back Issues". dfmagazine.ie. An Cosantóir. Retrieved 30 October 2016.

External links edit