But it was futile to suppose that he could secure for England all that England expected of Ireland if he could obtain from England nothing of what Ireland asked.

Redmond wanted recognition for the Volunteers chiefly as a basis upon which Ireland could feel that she was building an Irish army worthy of her record in arms; and this army would be no mean assistance to the nations allied against Germany's aggression.

Considering all the facts which have to be set out, the true cause for wonder is not the limitation but the extent of his success.
There was neither delay nor uncertainty in his exposition of Ireland's duty.

Quite literally, he seized the first chance that came to his hand.
He left London on the evening when the Act was signed, motored to Holyhead, as he liked to do, in the big car which his friends had presented to him--it was the only material testimonial which he ever received--and crossed by the night boat, driving on in the morning to Aughavanagh.

When he reached the Vale of Ovoca he found a muster of the East Wicklow Volunteers.