The New York herald., 1922-03-06
IRELAND FIXING UP
TO GREET AMERICANS
First Rush of Tourists in
Seven Years Seen This
Summer.
INN KEEPERS READY
Railways in Fair Shape and
Country Roads Are Be-
ing Patched Up.
GOOD FOOD PLENTIFUL
Prices Generally Are Not So
High as Elsewhere Over
Europe.
GOOD FOOD PLENTIFUL

THE NEW YoRK HERALD publishes
to-day the first of series of arti-
cles on present day Ireland, writ
ten by a staff correspondent and
forwarded from THE HERALp's Dub
lin bureau. These articles deal
chiefly with industrial, economic
and social topics, and, while taking
into account the political uncertain
ties that still cloud the Irish sky,
they present a hopeful picture Of
the future. Another article will be
printed tomorrow, and the series
will be continued daily until its con-
clusion.
Special Correspondence to THE New York
HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Dublin, Feb. II. J
ireland expects to be in fine fettle
to receive flocks of American tourists
this summer. 1t will be the first time
that "fiocks" of Americans have been
In ireland in seven years. 1t has been
period of seven lean years for the
hotel keepers, the jaunting car drivers
and the tourist agencies. But prices
in Ireland are not relatively as high
as they are elsewhere in Europe am
If there are still some items of comfort
which will be lacking the geniality Of
welcome awaiting Americans will
make up for it.
All of the essentials are still TO be
found Food is abundant and excellent
Service Is plentiful and courteous and
in the main efficient, though full of
that casual quality that makes the
Irish servant such delight, and
sometimes such trial.
AS throughout Europe, railway fares
for first class tickets are still very
high, and in ireland the railway serv-
ice. though adequate, has not yet re-
turned TO pre-war speed or frequency
Before the war road travel in motor
cars and motor coaches was just be-
ginning to develop. During the inter-
nal troubles with the Government re-
strictions on motor travel it has Of
course languished. But fine private
cars are available in Dublin. Cork,
Belfast and other large centers for
from shilling to a shilling and three
pence per mile for touring. In addi-
tion TO this the tourist agencies and
the railways have plans which they
will put into effect rapidly as soon as
political affairs assume a definite
guise of settlement for the operation
OF large, new and cofortable fleets oil
char-a-bancs and public motor coaches
on definite routes through the beau
tiful and historic parts Of Kerry and
Clare and Galway and Antrim.
Even last Summer it was possible to
make these trips in perfect comfort
And last year the roads were spotted
with the open and concealed trenches
Of the guerrilla warfare tEat did not
cease until July. Local authorities have
made rapid efforts to patch up these
bad spots. and though some of the
roads still suffer from the effects Of
heavy military traffic they are in the
main good. and by the end Of the
spring win be perfectly safe.
Before the war 1t was the custom
for all American tourists headed for
ireland to go ashore in lovely Queens
town harbor. and this summer for the
first time the United States Lines the
White Star aid the Cunard will make
regular calls there. averaging three
and four big ships a week.
Queenstown itself is rather hoping
that il will see more OF its visiting
Americans than 1t did before the war.
IT used TO be the custom tEen for them
to pile into special trains to run along
the south coast to Killarney or up the
narrow gauge. or by coach to Blarney.
Since Queenstown was a home from
horne" for so many men and officers
Of the American destroyer flotillas
during the war, however. the natives
believe mpany Americans will want
to stop off for days sailing on the
beautiful bay and trips 10 Youghal
and other nearby points OF interest
Queenstown hotel keepers, at the Rob
Roy, the Queens and other hotels or
the waterfront. are apologizing for tie
worn state Of their carpets and furni-
turc. but they are not apologizing. and
need not apologize. either for their
spotless linen. their excellent fare or
their we'll stocked cellars.
Cork n Center OF Interest.
Cork Is likely also to be now CEN
ter Of interest for Americans. It's
desperate experiences during the
lighting OF the last two years have
left many scars. The fine broad
street" as Cork men call Patrick
street. looks like the main street OF a
Western mining town Just now, for
the promises burned in the great fire
have been replaced by temporary
wooden stacks with fine fronts and
only one floor. business is carried
on briskly however. and the life OF
the city Is 70 all intents normal
Despite the horrible stories that come
ant Of Cork as TO the violence Of her
partisnns the casual visitor will see
little evidence OF violence among the
people with whom re comes in con.
tact
ono Of the hopefulest mon about
tho coming season in ireland is Flor
rio" tho iniuitahle and far famed
head porter Of the Imperial Hotel in
Cork. lfiorrie won't take tip unless
lie likes ,on lie owns nice bit or