Despite well attended rallies, such as this in Sligo, enlistment rates fell by more than half during 1915, as the reality of warfare became more widely recognised.
(NLI: Irish Life 8 Oct 1915)
Even sporting events, such as the Limerick Races, were targeted as potential recruiting grounds. (NLI: LB 05 i17 Irish Life 5 Mar 1915)
With enlistment rates lower in western counties, measures such as recruiting tours were used to encourage men to join up. (NLI: The Western People 19 Jun 1915)
Pomp, pageantry and music often featured in recruiting events. The use of buses as mobile recruiting offices was a practical innovation. (NLI: Irish Life 8 Oct 1915)
