Irish Emergency Merchant Marine Medal

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The Irish Merchant Marine Medal (formally the Emergency Service Medal for An tSeirbhís Mhuir-Thráchtála) was established to honour those who served on Irish-registered ships during "The Emergency" (World War II). It is considered one of the rarest Irish service medals because it was earned under consistently dangerous conditions at sea.

Award Criteria and RarityEligibility: Awarded to individuals who served at least six months on an Irish-registered ship between 3 September 1939 and 31 March 1946.Total Issued: Approximately 513 medals were awarded in total.Service Bars: Unlike other Emergency medals that were limited to two bars, the Merchant Marine medal could be awarded with up to three bars, each representing an additional two years of service.No Bar: 299 medalsOne Bar: 122 medalsTwo Bars: 34 to 37 medalsThree Bars: 58 medals

Design and FeaturesObverse (Front): Features a female figure (Éire) holding an Irish wolfhound, a design shared with other Emergency Service medals.Reverse (Back): Unique to this service, it depicts a large steamship at sea with a small sailing vessel visible on the horizon, inscribed with "AN TSEIRBHÍS MHUIR-THRÁCHTÁLA".Ribbon: Blue with a central white stripe. A second version was later introduced for civilian merchant seamen and fishermen with a multi-striped blue and white ribbon.Designers: The obverse was designed by Lawrence Campbell, and the reverse by Donal Murphy.

Historical SignificanceWhile Ireland remained neutral, its merchant fleet (the "Irish Mercantile Marine") faced immense risks. Ships sailed alone and fully lit, identified only by tricolours painted on their decks. Despite this, they were attacked 41 times, resulting in the deaths of 149 crewmen.