THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE IRISH TOURIST TRAFFIC. [To THE EDITOR
OP THE "SPECTATOR."] Str.,—The Irish railway companies have, during the last twelve months, continued their good work of facilitating the intercourse between Ireland and Great Britain. This year they did their level best to induce Englishmen and Scotchmen to take their holiday earlier in the year by offering special facilities in May and June when the country was at its beet. Their appeal obtained some measure of success in the United States, and the Americans who visited Ireland had every reason to congratulate themselves on the results of their visit, but the fears engendered by the political situation, and by the anarchy which was bound to follow on the passage of the Home Rule Bill, were largely responsible for the poor response these'efforts received in Great Britain. These fears have now been dispelled ; the greater part of the Continent is closed to the British tourist, and every induce- ment is now given to those who want a complete &long° of air and scene to visit Ireland.
The individual action of municipal bodies acting separately has not been adequate to attract visitors under the " Public Health and Watering-Places Acts" The Dublin Corporation has there- fore appointed a number of delegates to act on the Tourist Council. The other public Irish bodies are also acting in ag,rc..e- ment, and it is hoped that before the end of the year this Central Council will be able effectively to organize the advertisement of Irish tourist resorts.
The principal English railway companies responsible for the Irish traffic have also been extremely active. Thus the London and North-Western Railway have restored their 7.30 p.m. train as an additional feeder to the Greener% Dublin, and Kingstown steamers. The Great Northern Railway of Ireland have accele- rated all their fastest trains and put on tea-cars. The Cork, Bandon, and South Coast Railway have established day trips from Cork to Killarney and back by rail, steamboat, and motor-car. The Dublin and South-Eastern Railway have promoted touring through the counties of Wicklow and Wexford, so justly described as the garden of Ireland, by establishing eight-day contract or "go-as-you-please" tickets, which enable tourists to see some of Ireland's most exquisite scenery in the course of one short week on the most moderate terms. The tourist motor service in Cork and Kerry has been extended so as to afford morning and after- noon services in each direction daily. Their motors have also been fitted with luxurious torpedo bodies of the latest type, which increase the enjoyment of the passengers. A new motor service has been established between Middleton and Ballyeotton,
an attractive Atlantic seaside resort in County Cork. Passengers holding tourist tickets to Cork and Killarney can now, by the pay- ment of three shillings more, extend their trip to Banagher and across Lough Derg to Killaloe. Finally, the Midland Great Western Railway are about to open an hotel at Bosses Point, near
Sligo.—I am, Sir, &c., V. Hussey WALSH.
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