The LÉ ORLA


My mural of the LÉ ORLA (P41) was painted on the East Pier in 2019. 

She was a peacock-class patrol vessel in the Irish Naval Service. Like the rest of her class, she was originally designed for use by the British Royal Navy in Hong Kong waters, and was delivered and launched in 1985 by Hall, Russell & Company as the HMS SWIFT.

The ship was named after Orla, a grand niece of Brian Boru who was murdered by her husband around 1090. The crest shows the arms of Clare on the top segment and a sword and royal collar on the base. She was the sister ship of the LÉ CIARA.

Based in Haulbowline Naval Base, Cork, she patrolled mostly off the south-east coast of Ireland. I recall that the vessel was very efficient in its operations, with a small crew of 39. She was of a suitable draught (approx. 9ft) to enable her to dock from time to time in Wicklow port.

In November 2008, the LÉ ORLA assisted in 'Operation Seabight' which resulted in one of the largest seizure of cocaine in the history of the state.

In mid-2014, she was temporarily kept out of commission to facilitate the removal of asbestos which had been discovered on the ship.

On 8 July 2022, the LÉ ORLA was decommissioned together with the LÉ CIARA and the LÉ EITHNE. She was then sold for scrap in Ghent, Belgium in early 2024.

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