The medal is circular, made of silver, and features the following design:
* Obverse: The obverse of the medal depicts the Irish Coat of Arms, surmounted by a crown. The arms consist of a shield divided into four quarters, with a harp on the first quarter, a crowned woman holding an olive branch on the second quarter, a tower on the third quarter, and a bull on the fourth quarter. Surrounding the arms is the inscription "An Bonan Arm" (Irish for "The Army Medal").
* Reverse: The reverse of the medal depicts a spray of shamrock, with the date of the award engraved below.
The Irish Army Medal is worn on the left chest, suspended from a ribbon of green, white, and orange (the colors of the Irish flag).