Marching thus at night, a battalion is doubly impressive. The silent monster is full of restrained power; resolute in its onward sweep, impervious to danger, it looks a menacing engine of destruction, steady to its goal, and certain of its mission.

In early 2008 a docu-drama starring Stephen Rea was made about the life of Patrick MacGill. An annual literary summer school is held in Glenties in mid July each year in his honour. A statue in his honour is on the bridge where the main street crosses the river in Glenties.

During the First World War MacGill served with the London Irish Rifles (1/18th Battalion The London Regiment) and was wounded at the Battle of Loos on 28 October 1915. An annual literary summer school is held in Glenties in mid July each year in his honour. MacGill wrote a memoir-type novel called "Children of the Dead End".