Here is the pith of his utterance: "I know that you will make efficient soldiers.

Efficient for what?
Wicklow Volunteers, in spite of the peaceful happiness and beauty of the scene in which we stand, remember this country at this moment is in a state of war, and the duty of the manhood of Ireland is twofold.

Its duty is at all cost to defend the shores of Ireland from foreign invasion.

It has a duty more than that, of taking care that Irish valour proves itself on the field of war as it has always proved itself in the past.

The interests of Ireland, of the whole of Ireland, are at stake in this war.