The Irish Guards have just arrived at Hounslow Cavalry Barracks, where they will be based for at least the next three years.

As they get to know the neighbourhood, where they are hoping to enjoy some "good craic", we've put together a few facts to help you learn about them.

They were formed on April Fools' Day

The current regiment was formed on April Fools' Day in 1900 in recognition of the courage displayed by Irish soldiers in the Second Boer War

Their motto means 'who shall separate us?'

Their motto Quis Separabit (who shall separate us?) is taken from the Order of St Patrick, an order of chivalry founded by King George III

Prince William is their colonel

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton visit the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at Mons Barracks in Aldershot on St Patrick's Day to present traditional sprigs of shamrocks to the officers and guardsmen of the regiment.

Prince William was made Colonel of the Irish Guards, his first honorary military appointment, in 2011. He and the Duchess of Cambridge visited the Guards at their old barracks in Aldershot this year on St Patrick's Day, and the royal couple could well be paying Hounslow a visit in the next few years

They get a sprig of shamrock on St Patrick's Day

A fresh shamrock is presented to members of the regiment on St Patrick's Day each year. The Welsh Guards, who they have replaced at the barracks, are presented with a ceremonial leek on St David's Day

They mentored Afghan soldiers

On the full battalion's last deployment in Afghanistan in 2010/11 one of the regiment's duties was mentoring soldiers from the Afghan National Army

Their mascot is an Irish wolfhound called Domhnall

Domhnall, the Irish Guards' regimental mascot, with the sprig of shamrock presented to him by the Duchess of Cambridge on St Patrick's Day

The regiment's mascot, who leads them on parade, is an Irish wolfhound called Domhnall. He even had his own Twitter account @officialigmascot, though it no longer appears to be active

They won six Victoria Crosses during two world wars

The Irish Guards won a total of six Victoria Crosses, the highest military honour available, during the two world wars, including the last to be presented during the Second World War

They carried the Queen Mother's coffin

Irish Guards carry the coffin at the Queen Mother's funeral in 2002

Irish Guards were given the honour of carrying the Queen Mother's coffin at her funeral in 2002. She used to present the Guards with their shamrocks each year, even though St Patrick's Day often clashed with the Cheltenham Festival, where the horse racing fan was a keen spectator

Their past members include some literary greats

Famous past members include Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, who signed up as a volunteer during the Second World War, the celebrated travel writer Patrick Leigh Fermor and the Irish novelist Liam O'Flaherty. Hugh John Lofting, the creator of Doctor Dolittle, was also among their ranks

They have the freedom of the city of Liverpool

In 2000, the centenary of their formation, the Guards were granted freedom of the city of Liverpool