In March 1798 legislation was passed to allow the militia to volunteer for service in Ireland, where a Rebellion had broken out. The 1st Royal Lancashire Militia immediately volunteered, and the regiment was recruited to full strength (1200 men) from the supplementary militia to replace the time-expired men. The contractors having failed to provide enough uniforms in time, the 136 time-expired men were stripped of their uniforms, hats and boots to clothe the recruits, leading to a serious complaint to the War Office about their treatment. The recruits arrived at Plymouth from Lancashire and the regiment embarked at the end of June. But the news from Ireland having improved the voyage was cancelled and the regiment returned to camp on Maker Heights. It was not until the end of August that the 1st RLM embarked again as part of a militia brigade in response to the French intervention in Ireland. The regiment landed at Ballyhack in Waterford Harbour on 11 September and then marched to New Ross, preparatory to moving north. However, the French expedition had already been defeated at the Battle of Ballinamuck, and the follow-up expedition was defeated at sea without landing. When the regiment reached Clonmel on 21 October the rebellion was effectively over. The regiment went into winter quarters but guard and picket duties heavy while the area was still in disorder.