Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-28
IRISH RAILROADS
THEIR ENLIGHTENED POLICY IN
OPERATING UP THE COUNTRY.
Jsunting Car Not the Only Means Of
Transit in the Emerald Isle-Enter-
prise of Transit Managers.


From he Scotsman.
There are still some benighted people who
believe that the Irish railroads are yet in
that primitive stage In which 1t is custom
airy to pull UP train in the middle of
moor to pick up casual old market woman
with a basket of eggs AS matter of fact,
the Irish railways are, and have been for
years, as go-ahead and enterprising as our
own. For one thing their managers have
the saving vfrtue-not too common this
side of the Irish sea-of realizing that I'M
proyement is possible, and they are bending
all their energies to increasing the comfort.
speed and convenience of travel in that de-
lightful island.
An example of their enlightened policy:
The Belfast and Northern Counties Railway
Company. one Of the most progressive of
IRISH companies, some years ago threw
themselves into the design of making
Whitehead, pretty little seaside place on
Belfast Tough, attractive and convenient
for the people of Belfast, not only as
occasional! but as permanent residence
Ihey went into the work boldly, convinced
that money judiciously spent would bring in
a good return in course of time. The COM
pany built promenade, put up bathing
boxes or houses, a bandstand, and sub
scribed money to have private bands play
at least once a week. Walks were laid out
around the headlands and seats We're placed
at pleasant hooks where an extensive view
could be enjoyed. In fact, nothing was
grudged that might add to the attractions
or spot that nature had already lavishly
adorned cheap and frequent train serv-
Ice made Whitehead easy of access to Bel
fast business people
But the railway company did not rest
content with identifying Whitehead and es-
tabilshing excellent communication between
1t and the capital of the north. They en-
couraged Belfast citizens to build houses
and to reside there travelling daily the f1f
teen miles that lie between Whitehead and
the city. AS an inducement they offered
free first-class railway ticket for ten years
to every one who built house of from FAC
to EGO yearly, rental. and second-class
ticket for the same period to any one who
erected a dwelling of from f25 to $40 rent.
Growth of Whitehead.
The result of this liberal and enlightened
policy is that Whitehead has already grown
into charming seaside resort with prom
Use of infinite expansion.
The entire region of the north of Ireland
served by the Belfast and Northern Coun-
ties railway is now laid open to the tourist
on terms that seem ridiculously cheap. For
10 shillngs he may obtain contract ticket
by which he may travel over the whole sys-
TEN continuously for eight days. II we mis-
take not, the cheapest railway run In the
three kingdoms Is over this line-from Bel
fast to Portrush and back, 134 miles, for
half crowni
A Scottish tourist will find the northeast
OF Ireland in almost all respects like his
native land. He sees the same busy towns
and well-cultivated fields and the people
are surprisingly like his own It Is after
he has passed through Londonderry and be-
gun to penetrate the Businesses of Donegal
that he realizes he is in Ireland and that
Ireland has very pronounced character
istics of her own.
Donegal is not the remote, inhospitable
rHcri,f nt,nf tx-ac rhof
civlizer. the railway, has brought it's far
thest corner within easy reach of the trav-
eler. Light railways. like four long slender
threads, meander over its mountains and
moors; and IN snug, neat, toylike carriages
the tourist may now explore the wilds of
the northwest at his ease, rafting UP glen
and down glen at a pace which does not
preclude leisurely enjoyment of the saw
age grandeur of the scenery.
When he has satiated himself with the
somewhat disheveed charms of Donegal
our wanderer may take q car from the
county town and In an hour or two find
mayhap a welcome change at the lively
watering place Bundorran and taste once
more of the luxures of civilization in the
imposing hotel which the Great Northern
Railway Company has provided for the
ever-increasing stream of visitors who seek
there the inauguration of the Atlantic ozone
This hotel is one of several which that COM
pany has built to supply what Ireland most
lacks for the development of the tourist
trafflc-good hotels The railway companies.
l1HIteU, are uOiilS d IItpSl DeIleuCldI WOfk,
one that is rapidly bearing fruit. Their
hotels are raising the standard of accom-
mediation all over the country, and in a few
years, we imagine, one will be able to travel
from Malin Head to Skbbereen. from Con-
nemara to Dublin bay. and have comfort.
cleanliness and irreproachabe cuisine at
every halting place by the way. 1t Is still
necessary in many places to exercise some
little discrimination in selecting an inn; to
gently insist upon having unsoiled sheets
and towels, and to remove dead flies from
the soup and the sauce But these things:
too, are passing-have almost quite passed
away, and will be remembered no more
against Ireland forever.
Good Hotels; Fast Trains.
The middle section of Ireland is excel
Iently served by the Midland Great West
ern Railway Company, which likewise has
earned the gratitude of travellers by provid-
ing first-class hotels at spots selected for
their exquisite natural beauty. Swift we'll
appointed trains carry tourists from Dub
lin through the heart of Ireland to the
glorious scenery of Connemara. and jaunt-
ing cars permit of the exploration of those
wild and lovely regions which the kings
visit last year promises to make more pop
ular than ever.
These random jottings deal only with
holiday travel in the northern and least
frequented half of Ireland In general,
holiday in Ireland means trip to Killar-
ney and little else. The northern position
is, comparatively speaking, unknown
land. The loss is both Ireland's and the
tourists. There are great tracts of holiday
ground that cannot be anywhere surpassed,
waiting only to be better known to be ap-
preciated. Men who know the real needs Of
Ireland and know her possibilities have
long been patiently laboring, in faith and
hope. to open up the country; to overcome
the prejudice, the ignorance of strangers.
and to discover to them the manifold
charms of this verdant Isle.
Results are becoming more abundantly
apparent every year. The royal visit OF
1903 gave Ireland strong FLIP in popular
favor and there are more than the over
sanguine who believe that little more and
there will be boom" In Irish touring such
as Norway enjoyed some ten or twelve years
ago. And 1t Is likely to be more lasting.
For besides scenery of the fairest and most
diversified description Ireland has a people
who know not how to be duM to live with
whom is a continual feast OF reason and
flow of SIOUX
Kingsway Architecture.
From the London Queen.