1821.
In June, 1821, the regiment marched to Chatham, having detachments at Sheerness, Tilbury Fort, and Harwich. Here a further reduction took place of 2 companies, making the establishment to consist of 576 rank and file.
1822.
From Chatham the regiment marched to London, and proceeded by the canal to Liverpool, there to embark for Dublin, where it arrived on the 3rd of May, 1822. The regiment remained in that city until the beginning of October, when it marched to the south of Ireland. The head-quarters were stationed at Fermoy, and detachments proceeded to the villages of Ballyhooly, Castletown Roche, Kilworth, Kildorrery, Wattstown, Glanworth, and Mitchelstown. A subaltern’s party was also encamped at Glennasheen, in the county of Limerick, the disturbed state of that part of Ireland requiring detachments in the above posts, and the utmost exertions of every individual for their protection.
1824.
Lieut.-General Sir Gordon Drummond, G.C.B., was removed from the colonelcy of the Eighty-eighth to that of the Seventy-first Regiment, on the 16th of January, 1824, in succession to General Francis Dundas, deceased.
The regiment remained here for two winters, and in the beginning of May, 1824, orders were received to march to the Cove of Cork, to embark for foreign service.
Before the Seventy-first marched to the coast for embarkation, very gratifying addresses were presented to Colonel Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, commanding the regiment, from the magistrates and inhabitants of the district round Fermoy, conveying their approbation of the conduct of the corps, which had won the esteem of all classes.
A very gratifying order was also issued by Major-General Sir John Lambert, K.C.B., commanding the south-western district of Ireland, relative to the conduct of the regiment. The regiment embarked for North America on the 14th, 16th, 17th, and 18th of May, 1824, on board the Indian trader “Prince of Orange,” “Cato” and “Fanny” transports, and anchored at Quebec, on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of June.
1825.