The first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1, 1916, marked one of the bloodiest days in British military history, with devastating losses for Irish soldiers. The 36th (Ulster) Division, composed primarily of Ulster Volunteers, suffered immense casualties, with approximately 5,500 men killed or wounded in the initial two days of fighting. Thousands of other Irishmen serving in various British divisions also perished. This battle had a profound and lasting impact on Irish society, particularly in Ulster.
