LÉ Eithne

LÉ Eithne (P31) was a patrol vessel which was previously in service with the Irish Naval Service. The ship was 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 (HPV) for long-range fisheries patrol, 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 embarked on her final voyage to breakers in Ghent, Belgium in June 2024.