The unit had a very proud history. A B C and D Coys were formed from reserve battalions that can be traced back to the foundation of the Irish State

The home of the Battalion until 1989 was Griffith Barracks, South Circular Road, Dublin. The barracks still exists as a third level college

From 1989 until 2005 the 20 Battalion was based in cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin. The 20 Battalion was disbanded in October 2005 and joined with the 21 Infantry Battalion to become the 62 Infantry Battalion. The FCA was renamed the Army Reserve. The Battalion is now based in Casement Aerodrome (Baldonnel), Cathal Brugha Barracks, and has centres in Bray and Wicklow.

You can find out more on the history of each company of the 20 Infantry Battalion by clicking on each unit insignia. For more information on the insignia of the former 20 Battalion Click Here.

A Company	B Company	C Company	D Company	E Company

A Company
Following Germanys attack on Western Europe in May 1940, the Irish Government created the Local Security Force (LSF) as an auxliary police force. This force was based on Garda districts and one such district was 'E' District which extended from Donnybrook to Crumlin and included Rathmines, Terenure and Kimmage. Shortly after it's formation, the LSF was formed into 'A' (Security) and 'B' Groups. In 1941 the Army took over control of the 'A' Group which became the Local Defence Force (LDF). 43 Rifle Battalion (LDF) was formed from the LSF 'A' Group in the Garda 'E' District

After all reserve units were stood down in 1946 the 2nd Line Reserve - An Forsa Cosanta was created, 43 Rifle Battalion (LDF) became 43 Infantry Battalion (FCA)

Integration of An FCA and the PDF (Permanent Defence Force) occurred in 1959 and 43 Infantry Battalion (FCA) was constituted as 'A' Company 20 Infantry Battalion

The Company crest of a pikehead originated from a trophy presented to the 43 Rifle Battalion after winning inter platoon competitions in 1942

B Company
Following Germanys attack on Western Europe in May 1940, the Irish Government created the Local Security Force (LSF) as an auxiliary police force. This force was based on Garda districts. One such district was 'A' District, and recruits were inducted at Kevin St and Kilmainham Garda (Police) Stations

Shortly after it's formation, the LSF was formed into 'A' (Security) and 'B' (Unarmed) Groups. In 1941 the Army took over control of the 'A' Group which became the Local Defence Force (LDF).

'A' District LDF became 44 Rifle Battalion LDF. For Dublin the decision was that there should be 5 Rifle Battalions numbered 41 to 45. While documentary evidence is lacking, it is widely believed that the allocation of these numbers was decided by reference to the territorial division of the Dublin area between the units of the old IRA of the 1920's, the 44 Battalion being assigned that number because it was drawn from that area formerly assigned to the 4th Battalion Old IRA.

After all reserve units were stood down in 1946 the 2nd Line Reserve - An Forsa Cosanta was created. On the 1st April 1946, 44 Rifle Battalion (LDF) became 44 Infantry Battalion (FCA).

Integration of An FCA and the PDF (Permanent Defence Force) occurred in 1959 and 44 Infantry Battalion (FCA) was constituted as 'B' Company 20 Infantry Battalion.

The B Company flash had a laurel wreath surrounding the numbers '44', commemorating the units origins in the 44 Battalion (LDF/FCA).

C Company
C Coy 20 Inf Bn came into being when the FCA was integrated in 1959

C Coy was made up of officers and men of the 42 Bn FCA which in turn had derived from the 42 Bn LDF

In 1941/42 control on the LDF in Dublin transferred from Garda control to military control. The five battalions in Dublin were numbered 41 to 45. While documentary evidence is lacking it is widely believed that the allocation of numbers was decided by reference to the territorial division of Dublin between the units of the old IRA in the 1920's. The 42 Bn LDF was assigned that number because it was drawn from the area formerly assigned to the 2 Bn old IRA

The link to the 2 Bn old IRA is kept alive today in the shoulder flash of C Coy. The top half of the flash was common to all Coys of the 20 Bn while the bottom half depicts the Custom House in flames, one of the more notable acts of the 2 Bn old IRA

The Company crest was a sword and quill lying crossed on an open book signifying the blending of the academic and military arts

The Company motto was"Beart do reir ar mbriathar" (Deeds according to our word). The motto and crest were approved by the Genealogical Office in Dublin Castle.

It is a little known fact that the Rangers (Irish Special Forces) use the same motto.