The last Irish peacekeeping troops serving in Lebanon will be stood down today.
Defence Forces soldiers returned to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in October last year after conflict broke out in the south of the country.
They served in a joint Finnish-Irish Engineer Battalion, in which the Irish troops conducted reconnaissance, security and protection duties as the Finnish element carried out de-mining and reconstruction.
The unit was deployed for 12 months and the end of the tour will be marked in a ceremony at Camp Ida.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea paid tribute to the men and women who have served in Lebanon.
"Ireland's long association with the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon dating back to 1978 sadly has claimed the lives of 47 members of the Defence Forces and today we should remember their sacrifice. They paid the ultimate sacrifice bringing peace and stability to others," he said.
"As the 36 Infantry Group stand down today in Camp Ida I know I speak for all my colleagues in Government and in Dáil Eireann when I say how tremendously proud and grateful we are of you and all members of the Defence Forces who have served in Lebanon since 1978."
The 160-strong Irish contingent of the 36 Infantry Group UNIFIL, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Michael McCarthy, is drawn mainly from the 2nd Eastern Brigade, with the bulk of troops from Dublin and Dundalk.
Following the stand-down parade the unit will commence preparations for return to Ireland by late November.
Defence Forces previously served with UNIFIL from 1978-2001, serving over 32,000 individual tours of duty in which 46 members of the force gave their lives in the service of peace.
There are currently 565 members of the Defence Forces serving overseas.