Against the backdrop of a more dangerous world, the Irish Defence Forces continues to strive to achieve its mission to defend the State and to work towards a more secure world through the dedicated peacekeeping efforts of those who serve. In this fireside chat with the IIEA's Young Professionals Network, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy discusses the important work of the Irish Defence Forces, their role in Irish public life, and what the future holds as the organisation transforms to meet the challenges of the modern-day security environment.

Speaker bio:

Lieutenant General Sean Clancy is Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, a role which he has held since 2021. Lt General Clancy is the first Air Chief in the Irish State to serve as Chief of Staff, and has previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff (support) and as General Officer Commanding the Air Corps. Lt General Clancy has served with the European Union Force in Bosnia as the Military Advisor to the Force Commander and spent two years as air advisor to the permanent element of SHIRBRIG, the UN Standby Brigade. As Chair of the NATO PIAG (2022 – 2024) he focused on strengthening the partnership concept to further enable European defence and resilience.

Lt General Clancy spent much of his early career as a Search and Rescue pilot and was the Commander of the crew who received the State Marine Medal for Meritorious Service in 2002. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Trinity College, Dublin, a Masters in Military Leadership and Defence Studies from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth and completed a Higher Level Diploma in Advanced Management Performance at UCD Smurfit Business School. He is a graduate of the Defence Forces Command and Staff College where he was the recipient of the Lt General Tadgh O’Neill valedictorian award.

The IIEA’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a forum for young professionals and students between the ages of 20 and 35 to engage with thought leaders from politics, business, culture, sport, and the media in an informal after-work setting.