After twelve years' service in Jamaica, during which time it had suffered severely from the effects of climate, and had lost upwards of fifty officers and nearly three thousand non-commissioned officers and soldiers, the ROYAL IRISH regiment received orders to return to England. It landed at Portsmouth in March, 1817, in so complete a state of discipline and efficiency, that it was ordered to proceed to Brighton, where it had the honour of furnishing the usual guard for the Prince Regent during His Royal Highness' stay at the Pavilion. The regiment was afterwards removed to Chatham and Sheerness, and in August it proceeded to Hilsea barracks. [Sidenote: 1818] Early in 1818 the ROYAL IRISH regiment marched to Haslar barracks and Gosport; in December it embarked for Ireland, and, after landing at Cork, proceeded to Fermoy. [Sidenote: 1819] From Fermoy the regiment marched, in January, 1819, to Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Duncannon-fort, and Kilkenny; and the excellent conduct of the men, during their stay in these quarters, elicited the admiration and gratitude of the public authorities of the several places, which was communicated to the corps in the strongest terms. [Sidenote: 1820] In July, 1820, the regiment marched to Cork. [Sidenote: 1821] Orders having been received for the regiment to transfer its services to Malta, it embarked from Cork in February, 1821, and after its arrival on that island the head-quarters were established in the Cottonera district, with one company detached to the small island of Gozo. [Sidenote: 1822] In November, 1822, the regiment was removed to St. Elmo barracks and Valetta, where the detached company joined from the island of Gozo. [Sidenote: 1823] After remaining twelve months at St. Elmo barracks, the regiment was removed to Floriana barracks in November, 1823, detaching two companies to Fort Manuel and Tignie. [Sidenote: 1824] On the 8th of May, 1824, the first division of the regiment embarked from Malta for the Ionian Islands, and was followed by the head-quarters in June, on which occasion the following general order, dated Malta, 18th of June, 1824, was issued:-- "The Marquis of Hastings, having been long acquainted with the high character of the ROYAL IRISH regiment of infantry, cannot suffer that distinguished corps to quit this island without expressing his regret at losing its services. The report made to him, by Major-General Sir Manley Power, of the uniformly excellent conduct maintained by the officers and men of the regiment, during their residence here, authorizes the Marquis of Hastings to request that they will accept his applause, and his sincere wishes for their future welfare. "_By command of His Excellency_, "C. BAYLEY, A.M.S." The last division of the regiment arrived at Corfu on the 24th of June, and occupied quarters in the citadel. [Sidenote: 1825]