LÉ Eithne
Eithne during the Belfast Tall Ships event in 2009. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Ireland | |
| Name | LÉ Eithne |
| Namesake | Ethniu, a tragic heroine in an early Irish romantic tale |
| Builder | Verolme Dockyard, Cork |
| Laid down | 15 December 1982 |
| Launched | 19 December 1983 |
| Commissioned | 7 December 1984 |
| Decommissioned | 8 July 2022 |
| Homeport | Haulbowline Naval Base |
| Identification |
|
| Status | Decommissioned (to be scrapped) |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Offshore patrol vessel |
| Displacement | 1,920 tonnes (full load) |
| Length | 84.8 m (278 ft) overall |
| Beam | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Draught | 4.3 m (14 ft) |
| Speed | 37 km/h (20 kn) maximum |
| Complement | 86 (9 officers and 77 ratings) |
| Armament |
|
| Aviation facilities | helicopter flight deck |
LÉ Eithne (P31) is a patrol vessel which was previously in service with the Irish Naval Service. The ship is named after Eithne, a tragic heroine and the daughter of the one-eyed Fomorian King, Balor in an early Irish romantic tale. Eithne was the flagship of the Irish Naval Service.
Eithne was originally built as a Helicopter Patrol Vessel for long-range fisheries patrol vessel, intended to be at sea for up to 30 days. She was the only ship in her class, as the other planned members of the Eithne-class were never built.
Decommissioned in July 2022 after 38 years with the Irish Naval Service, Eithne has been laid up awaiting disposal since 2023.