So was lost to Ireland the most variously-gifted intelligence that I have ever known.
The Sixteenth Division were still on the sector about Loos, and their casualties were heavy and continuous in the perpetual trench warfare.
With the last days of August they were withdrawn--for a rest, as they believed at first; but their march was southwards to the Somme.
The purpose was to use them for an attack on Ginchy; but a shift of arrangements brought the 47th Brigade into line against Guillemont and its quarries, which had on six occasions been unsuccessfully attacked.
The Irish carried them.

Three days later the whole division was launched against Ginchy.

They equalled the Ulstermen's valour, and were luckier in the result.

For these achievements praise was not stinted.

Colonel Repington in _The Times_ described the Irish as the "best missile troops" in all the armies.
III The deeds of Irish soldiers helped us greatly outside of Ireland; in Ireland, the news was received with mingled feelings.