Members of the Defence Forces serving overseas have sent messages to friends and families ahead of Christmas.
Currently, there are around 650 personnel serving in 13 countries around the world.
The largest deployment is in South Lebanon, where more than 460 personnel are serving with UNIFIL.
130 troops, meanwhile, are stationed in the Golan Heights, where personnel recently relocated to the Syrian side of the heights.
Happy Christmas from the Golan Heights. Image: Defence Forces via Flickr
Small numbers of troops are also deployed in countries such as Mali, Kosovo, Bosnia, The Democratic Republic of Congo & Western Sahara.
In a statement, Defence Forces said: "Our personnel can only do the important work of peace because of the support they receive from their families and friends at home when they deploy.
"Of course, this separation is most acutely felt over the Christmas period."
You can see some of the Christmas messages below, and more can be found on the Defence Forces Flickr page.
From Roscommon, Christmas Message from Captain Paul Conlon in the Congo
To Senan and baby Saoirse I hope you all have a great day and Santa brings you everything you asked for. To my wife Brenda, thank you for keeping the show on the road and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas from the Congo. Missing you all lots. Finally, to my entire family and friends have a great Christmas and see you all in 2019!
From Left to Right in the photo: CS John Kelleher - Cork; Lt Col Patrick Kelly -Clare; Col David Goulding - Kilkenny; Comdt Claire Spelman - Cork; CS Noel Doherty - Donegal; CS Matthew McNamara - Kildare.
Season's Greetings to all our family and friends back home in Ireland from Kosovo.
