History

The Military Medal for Gallantry was established in 1944 and is the highest-ranking medal in Ireland. It is awarded to Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Privates in the Defence Forces, as well as to members of the Army Nursing and Chaplaincy Services, for exceptional acts of bravery or gallantry beyond the call of duty. A bar clasp may be awarded in recognition of additional citations.

Prior to 1984, the different grades were referred to as the I Class Medal, the II Class Medal, and the III Class Medal, but since 1984, they have been referred to as the Medal with Honour, the Medal with Distinction, and the Medal with Merit, respectively.

The Medal with Honour features an obverse inscription that translates to "For Gallantry," and a reverse inscription that translates to "The Military Gallantry Medal," but it has never been awarded.