tenants
Renny, Supple, Newton, Weldon, Molony, Armstrong, and Cooper. The
distribution of the medals occupied over half an hour.

When this important portion of the programme had been completed, the
order to 'stack arms' was given, and the men filed into their seats at
the four long rows of tables which had been admirably prepared for the
dinner by the caterers, Messrs. Mills & Co., of Merrion Row. Messrs.
Mills & Co. had a picked staff of forty-two persons to carve the
various dishes and wait at table. Dinner consisted of several courses,
with selected fruit; while in addition to liberal supplies of ale,
stout, and mineral waters, 300 bottles of champagne were placed
before the honoured guests. This last-mentioned luxury was the
generous gift of Messrs. Perrier-Jouet & Co., of Epernay, the famous
wine shippers, who kindly and thoughtfully presented this supply of
their extra-quality wine through their Irish representatives, Messrs.
James McCullagh, Son & Co., 34 Lower Abbey Street. When the guests
were seated, H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, the Duchess of Connaught,
and the Princesses Margaret and Patricia of Connaught, with the
Reception Committee, a number of ladies, and a resplendent military
_entourage_, walked slowly down between the rows of tables, stopping
to speak a few gracious words to the non-commissioned officers and men
who had made themselves conspicuous even amongst their comrades for
valorous deeds and unflinching devotion to duty. Many of the
reservists who sat beside former 'chums' at table, and on whose less
warlike garb, the ordinary civilian clothes, medals and clasps shone
out in high relief, also received kindly congratulations from the
Commander-in-Chief in Ireland. Meanwhile the string band of the 21st
Lancers, who occupied a good position on the gallery, played a
beautiful selection of airs, principally Irish, not the least being
'The Wearin' of the Green.' The Royal party on walking down the centre
of the hall was enthusiastically cheered, and the Duchess and her
daughters left the building at about half-past one.

The Duke remained for lunch with his staff and the officers of the
battalion. The health of His Majesty the King was drunk amidst much
enthusiasm. After dinner, cigars and cigarettes and tobacco were
liberally distributed, officers of the regiment performing most of
this agreeable duty, and each man was presented with a nice briar pipe
before leaving, the gift of Messrs. Lalor & C