IRISH soldiers stationed in various locations around the world will face the prospect of spending Christmas away from their loved ones, but while they can't be there in person, they've been sending festive messages home to their friends and family to make up for it.
There are currently 595 members of the Irish Defence Forces serving abroad, stationed across 13 countries.
Here are some of the heartfelt messages sent out to mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, sons, daughters and heck, even football teammates across the country.
Get home safe, all!
Gerry Condron from Co Waterford - Lebanon."Happy Christmas to all my family and friends and my fiancé Nicola. Sorry I cant be with you all this Christmas. Miss you all! Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks."
Kevin Griffin, Co Carlow - in Lebanon."To Mam, Dad, Michael, Marion, Emily, David, Sean, Melanie and all my family and friends at home. Sorry I can’t be there this Christmas, I hope you all have a great Christmas and I will see you all in the New Year!"
Shane Dunning, Athlone - in Lebanon."I would like to say Merry Christmas to everyone back home including everyone at my football club Moore UTD. I can’t wait to see you all when I am back!"
Elaine Anthony - Lebanon."Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone at home. Don’t have too much fun without us!"
Cillian Bonnar, Co Waterford - in Lebanon."This is my first Christmas away from home serving in Lebanon with Defence Forces Ireland and the United Nations. Happy Christmas to everyone at home especially to Colm, Mairead, Saoirse and Aishling."
Cathal [surname not given] - in the Democratic Republic of Congo"To all my friends and family especially my sons Cian and Oisín who will be especially embarrassed by this picture! I hope you all have a great Christmas and I look forward to seeing you all soon. Best wishes, Cathal."
Conor Bolger, Co Kilkenny - in Lebanon.
Private Derbhala Begley, from Dundalk in Co Louth, is serving in the Golan Heights."Happy Christmas to all my family and friends."
Private Garry Keane, from Kilmor in Co Galway, is serving in Lebanon."To all my family and friends, both home and abroad, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Especially to my girlfriend Marissa Burke. Looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year."
Corporal Leanne Butler, from Kilkenny, is serving in Lebanon."I just want to wish all my family, my friends, the gym crew, my running friends, the crew back in Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny and anyone else that I know in Kilkenny, Ireland & Abroad a very Happy and Festive Christmas & New Year."
