In 1946, An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil (FCA) was established, providing the Irish Defence Forces with a volunteer reserve force which numbered over 100,000. The FCA participated in training and military exercises, and was an integral feature of life around Ireland for a great many people. In 2004, the FCA was integrated into the regular army, and renamed as the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF). This book is an illustrated history of the FCA, its members and its work, capturing in images the people and their dedication to what became an important part of the fabric of Irish social history.