Sport and Travel in Ulster
THE very name of Ulster being synonymous with greatness in industry and commerce throughout the civilized world perhaps explains to a certain extent why her natural charms do not receive that measure of attention to which they are justly entitled. Where, however, is there to be found such a varied wealth of scenery, served by excellent roads and hotels, with a choice of every kind of sport, and within a comfortable night's journey from the heart of London ?
Ulster is fortunate in being easy of access from all parts of the United Kingdom, and there are actually five cross- Channel services operating direct to the Northern Province. In this connexion it may be noted that the traveller has a wide choice of routes, and may travel either by night or by day, by long or by short sea passage, and by luxurious trains and steamers replete with every modern convenience. Res- taurant and sleeping cars on the boat trains, delightful cabins on what may be truly called the last word in cross-Channel steamers, all these help to shorten the journey and rather spoil one for ordinary travelling.
Ulster, with her incomparable beauty of coast line, rugged and picturesque, stretching from the mountains of Mourne to the coast of Donegal, needs no advertisement, and is served by some excellent roads with all the amenities of civilization within reasonable distance. Of the many seaside resorts in Ulster, amongst those which stand out most promi- nently are Newcastle, nestling on the shores of Dundrum Bay at the foot of Slieve Donard, and Portrush, queen of watering places, thronged with health and pleasure seekers during the season, whilst between these two lies Ballycastle, which has a character all of its own, a jewel set in the coast line, a delightful spot at which to linger and rest.
These are only a few of the many charming spots which go to make up the coast line of Ulster, which combines in all its varied aspects a wealth of scenery, constantly changing as one moves from place to place. On a clear day, Scotland, which is plainly visible, appears but quite a short distance away, and farther south, the Isle of Man, and on a fine night the whole Channel is transformed into a veritable fairyland with its numerous lighthouses and flashing beacons, and the lights of passing vessels.
Strangford Lough, which is in Co. Down, is a salt-water' lough, and may be described as a large estuary of the sea.. It is approached from the sea by a narrow passage through which an enormous volume of water passes during each . flow and ebb of the tides, and under stormy conditions Strangford Bar, at the entrance, presents a wonderful sight when wind and tide meet.
Although the entrance to Strangford requires careful navigation, it should present no terrors to the experienced yachtsman, and, given suitable weather and tide conditions, no difficulty whatever should be experienced in making the passage. The Narrows open out into the lough itself just beyond the two villages of Portaferry and Strangford, which are directly opposite to each other, and both of which are very picturesque. Strangford Lough itself is studded with islands of all shapes and sizes, 365 of them in all, some of them inhabited and farmed by the owners, others inhabited only by cattle, and many of them inhabited only by rabbits and wild birds.
There are many places of interest in and around Strangford Lough, and it is accessible by good roads, and there is no part of it that is not within reasonable distance of postal and telephone facilities, with excellent road and rail services to Belfast and other centres. Inland amongst many places of charm, there is Lough Erne, that beautiful spot in Co. Fermanagh, which has a wealth of interest for the traveller sportsman, and, apart from the fact that sport of every sort abounds and there is excellent shooting and fishing available, there are also two yacht clubs, whose members provide
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excellent yacht racing during the season. Lough Erne shares with Strangford the distinction of possessing 365 islands, being one for each day of the year, and, though differing in many respects, they each have their own particular charm. The natural beauty of Lough Erne is enhanced by the fact that it is easy of access and by very good roads, and there is excellent hotel accommodation actually on the shores of the lakes, as well as at Enniskillen and other nearby places.
For the fisherman there are many lakes and rivers amid delightful surroundings, where sport is cheap, and one can spend a very pleasant holiday. Apart from the celebrated salmon fisheries of the rivers Bann,. Foyle, Bush, Mourne, &c., not to mention numerous smaller rivers, there are num- bers of lakes both small and large, in which a great variety of game fish are to be found, and fishermen can safely rely on local advice as to flies and tackle, supplies of which are always available in every district. The golfer has a wide choice in the matter of courses, which include the famous championship courses at Portrush and Newcastle, and such well-known courses as Craigavad, Belvoir Park and Malone, the latter three being within a short distance from the centre of Belfast. As well as these there are many other first-class courses throughout the province, and amongst Ulster players who have helped to make golf history may be mentioned Major C. 0. Hezlet and his sisters, the Misses Hezlet; Cuthell, better known as Rhona Adair ; Mr. Roy McConnell, Major Noel Martin and many others.
For the shooting man, who can afford such luxuries, there is every class of game to be had, and large inland lakes and sea estuaries constitute a paradise for the wild-fowler. Snipe abound in the bogs, also various species of the duck tribe, whilst thousands of both wild geese and swans appear in the various estuaries during the season. Owing to the fact that there are very few foxes in Ulster, except perhaps in the more mountainous southern parts of Co. Down, there is no fox hunting, but there are, however, numerous packs of harriers and foot beagles, in addition to the Co. Down Stag hounds. Hunting and horses have always held a prominent position in the life of the province, and the numerous race meetings and point-to-point steeplechases are well supported.
Ulster racehorses have on more than one occasion carried their owners' colours to victory in classic races, and it is only recent history that a team of jumpers bred and trained by that well-known Ulster sportsman Mr. Warwick carried all before them during a triumphant tour in America.
Perhaps as is only right for a sea-girt .province, whose ships and men are famous throughout navigable 'seas, yachting holds a prominent place in Ulster. Belfast Lough on a fine day, when yacht racing is in progress, is a sight to be remem- bered, with its fleets of all classes flying the flags of their respective clubs. Here on this wonderful stretch of water have raced the most famous yachts of their time, and from the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, which has its headquarters at Bangor, have issued the challenges for the American Cup, on behalf of their Rear-Commodore, that veteran sportsman, Sir Thomas Lipton. From the South of England to the North Sea may be met yachts flying the blue ensigns of the Royal Ulster and Royal North of Ireland Yacht Clubs during the cruising season each year, and that their members are no fair-weather sailors can be testified to by the inhabitants of many a wild spot on the west coast of Scotland and other
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