More than 400 Irish troops are celebrating St Patrick's Day abroad this year, deployed in 15 countries on 12 different peace missions.

The troops are spread across the world from Afghanistan to Uganda, and the Congo to Kosovo.

Although it is business as usual for most of the Defence Force missions, they will take some time out from their security work to celebrate Ireland's national day.

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Dignam is Commander of the 107th Irish Finnish Infantry Batalion in South Lebanon says they had a formal presentation of shamrocks this morning: