Former Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett of the Irish Naval Service, who retired as head of the Defence Forces in September 2021, has been saluted by Kinsale Yacht Club at the weekend for his distinguished award from the French Government of 'Commandeur de la légion d'honneur', France's highest honorary decoration to foreigners.
Mellet received notification of the French award last August.
The physical honour will be bestowed on him on 14th May at a ceremony in Collins Barracks, Dublin, followed by a reception at the French Embassy.
Mellet received the Kinsale recognition at a packed West Cork clubhouse – where he is already an honorary member – at the KYC Axiom Spring Series Prizegiving.
Mellett became head of the Defence Forces in September 2015; he was the first Navy officer to take the post.
The Mayo man, who learned to sail at Rosmoney and around Clew Bay’s islands, has served several times overseas with the UN and has a PhD in ocean governance.
He is passionate about the sea and its potential, and about its future in an era of climate change. He has spoken in several recent issues about climate breakdown as our greatest threat and climate justice as a major global issue.
He spoke to Afloat about some of the issues he has dealt with – from the Defence Forces' response to the Covid-19 pandemic to diversity and inclusion in the military in a Wavelenths interview with Lorna Siggins in August 2021 here
