From Bray to Basra and beyond
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Ranger Michael Farrell from Bray, Co Wicklow joined the British army simply by taking the train from Dublin to Belfast in 2003.
"I always wanted to be a soldier, but there was a one-and-a-half year's waiting list for the Irish army.''
Ranger Farrell is now a member of the Royal Irish Regiment, based in Shropshire. He has served in Iraq and Afghanistan as an infantry man and rifleman.
"In Ireland people thought I was crazy when I joined, but on the whole they have been supportive.
"Being from the South has never been a problem. The Catholics and the Protestants get on well together. There would be a lot of friendly banter between us.
"I believe there is good future in this career. It is good to have secure employment, particularly in the current climate.''
