IRISH TOURIST DEVELOPMENT.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR...1
SIR,—As ten years have now elapsed since I first ventured to draw your readers' attention to the steady improvement that is going on in Ireland as a tourist resort, I hope you will now allow me to recapitulate in as few words as possible a little of what has been done.
The opening of new routes has not only produced a healthy competition, but accelerated the services between England and Ireland. All parts of the two countries have been brought into closer touch with each other. Thus the service between Heysham and Belfast has increased the contact between the North of Ireland and the whole Midland system, whilst the purchase of the Northern Counties of Ireland line by the Midland Railway has brought Lancashire and York- shire into closer touch with Portrush, Londonderry, and County Donegal. In the same way the Fishguard and Rosslare route has brought the South of Ireland much nearer to South Wales and the Southern counties of England. In addition to this, new lines have been opened in Ireland itself. The Gweedore and Burtonport, the Clonmany and Cern- donagh lines, as well as the new line from Strabane to Letterkenny via Raphoe, have brought many parts of Donegal within reach of the British tourist, whilst in the South Rosslare and Wexford have been connected with Waterford, and Waterford with New Ross.
In addition to these railway facilities, the all-conquering motor has done its share of the work. Thus Portsalon has been brought into touch with Letterkenny. But the most important change has just been effected by the substitution of motor-cars for the old coaches in Cork and Kerry. A new route has been opened from Killarney to Parknasilla, and thence on to Macroom, which not only covers more country, but does so in a shorter space of time. In the same way motor-coaches have also been placed upon the route which connects Cahirciveen with Kerimare. It need hardly be added that during the last ten years Irish hotels have improved steadily.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Athenz.um Club, S. W. V. HUSSEY WALSH.
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