The Sunny Side of Ireland

These pages attempt to make better known the large part of Ireland which is served by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company, and while doing so to realise Shakespeare's words:

"An honest tale speeds best being plainly told."

If they succeed in these endeavours, they will satisfy the compiler. No inexorable route is insisted upon, but no suggestion is stinted which may help the tourist to enjoy fully the beautiful country he passes through--and a beautiful country it truly is, be it approached from Athlone, its north-western gate, by the Shannon, where,

"In the quiet watered land, the land of roses, Stands Saint Kieran's city fair,"

or from its south-western side, in the kingdom of Kerry, where the ocean leans against the mountains, and the storm-swept peak of Skellig Michael makes the most westerly citadel of Christ in the Old World! Everywhere within its broad borders, swift-rushing rivers, mirror-like lakes, and mountains tiaraed in the skies, delight the vision and gladden the heart.

The Gaelic names of places are usually word pictures reflecting with fidelity the physical features of each place, or "tell sad stories of the death of kings." Where possible, the equivalents have been given in English.

With these forewords, nothing further remains but to offer an Irish welcome-- FAILTE.

PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION.

Since "The Sunny Side of Ireland" was issued the Royal Assent has been given to an Act of Parliament which makes the Great Southern and Western Railway foremost in every sense amongst Irish Railways. The two Provinces of Munster and Connaught are now knit together by a huge network of railway lines comprised in their amalgamated system.

The several counties thus included are dealt with in this Second Edition. The volume is further enhanced by more particular information as to the sports and pastimes of the country, and by a valuable chapter on the Natural History of the South and West of Ireland, by writers of authority on such subjects.

LIST OF MAPS.

MAP OF THE GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN RAILWAY AND ITS CONNECTIONS IN IRELAND 6

MAP SHOWING CONNECTIONS OF THE GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN RAILWAY IN GREAT BRITAIN 7

MAP OF DUBLIN CITY 14

MAP OF ENVIRONS OF DUBLIN 15

MAP OF CORK CITY 72

MAP OF ENVIRONS OF CORK 73

PICTORIAL MAP OF KILLARNEY DISTRICT 132

CONTENTS. Page

INTRODUCTION 8

DUBLIN AND DISTRICT--

DUBLIN 15

DUBLIN DISTRICT 24

LIMERICK AND DISTRICT--

LIMERICK 46

LIMERICK DISTRICT 53

THE SHANNON LAKES 67

CORK AND DISTRICT--

CORK 73

CORK DISTRICT 85

THE RIVER BLACKWATER, YOUGHAL, &C. 98

WATERFORD AND DISTRICT 112

KILLARNEY AND GLENGARRIFF 133

LAKES AND FJORDS OF KERRY 175

COUNTY CLARE 221

GALWAY AND DISTRICT 235

CONNEMARA AND SLIGO 245

SUMMER AND WINTER RESORTS 256

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SOUTH AND WEST OF IRELAND 260

SPORTS--

CYCLING 278

GOLF 291

RIVER FISHING 295

LAKE FISHING 299

SHOOTING 303

INDEX 306

ADVERTISEMENTS 309

Introduction.

Travelling through Ireland in the good old times was at best a precarious and inconvenient diversion. Those who had to do so regretted the necessity, and those who had not, praised Providence. Many "persons of quality," to use Dr. Johnson's phrase, have written narratives of their adventures and experiences in "the most damnable country." No man of position, even early in the nineteenth century, would dream of travelling threescore miles from his residence without having signed and sealed his last will and testament. The highways were beset by "Gentlemen of the Road," such as that fascinating felon, "Brennan on the Moor," of whom the ballad tells--