Minister announces plans to improve Finner Camp on first visit

A newly refurbished gymnasium is soon to be completed and plans for a new dining hall are underway

Published 30th Jul 2026, 16:04 BST Minister for Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, alongside members of the 28th Infantry Battalion | Helen McEntee TD A newly refurbished gymnasium is soon to be completed and plans for a new dining hall are underway Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.

The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, has announced plans to improve Finner Camp on her first visit to the home of the 28th Infantry Battalion.

A €2.5 million refurbishment of the gymnasium is due to be completed in August and a tender is underway for the construction of a dining hall.

“The newly refurbished gymnasium will ensure that a range of sports and activities can be delivered to trainees, students, soldiers, and staff as part of their military training, their personal fitness and well-being, and their pursuit of recreational sports skills,” Minister McEntee said.

“In addition, my Department will shortly launch a tender competition for the construction of the new dining hall, which reflects my commitment to improving the living and working environments for all military personnel at the camp, which I’m sure will be a major factor influencing their morale, training, health and overall personal development.”

Helen McEntee TD The Minister was greeted on arrival by the Assistant Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Neil Nolan and the Officer Commanding 28th Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Jim O’Shea. Taken on a tour, the Minister met with the 400 personnel based at Finner as well as a platoon of recruits currently undergoing training.

“It was a pleasure to meet members of the 46th Recruit Platoon and wish them well in their training and future careers with Óglaigh na hÉireann,” she said. “2025 saw a modest, though significant, growth in the overall strength of nearly 200, with a total of 790 inductions achieved - the highest in twenty years - and the number of personnel who discharged was at its lowest level in more than five years.

“I have set a target of 850 inductions for 2026. The recruits in training here in Finner Camp are further evidence of our determination to convert the high level of applications to inductions in the Defence Forces .”

Related topics: Finner Defence Forces Ireland Donegal Helen McEntee Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.