British Railways Mailboat, Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
An unused card, but where it came from I don't know.
DUN LAOGHAIRE. Though now almost connected with the city of Dublin (8 miles away) Dun Laoghaire still retains a strong civic individuality, and has one of the prettiest waterfronts in Ireland. The Mailboat from Holyhead provides the fastest and one of the most comfortable sea routes between Britain and Ireland. Thus for many visitors, Dun Laoghaire is their first sight of the country, and though for the majority it is a place of transit, there are others who regard it as one of Ireland's best equipped seaside resorts.Dun Laoghaire, pronounced more or less Dunleary which was how it was spelled for a time, means the fort of Laoghaire who was an ancient king from before the days of the Vikings. The fort was demolished to make way for a Martello tower which in turn was demolished to make way for the first suburban railway in the world (1834).
The mailboat service continued until the mid-1970s.
I actually live in Dun Laoghaire, and posted some photos from a very similar location to this just a few days ago here : http://www.frankcourtney.com/blog/
ReplyDeleteThe pier where the boat is tied up - called Carlisle Pier - still exists, but all the buildings on it were demolished recently by the council. This is now being reviewed due to planning issues, and some of the buildings may have to be reinstated.
I love this picture, especially the lady on the dock in her flared dress from starched crinolines. Like the Hill of Crosses and the Mail Boat, it reminds me of a time when things were interesting. It seems as if the whole world is covered in aluminum siding....everything is starting to look alike. The postcards are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI wondered how old this photo was - and found out from the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company site that it was taken in 1962.
ReplyDeleteThe colors of this postcard are magnificent. It is a truly lovely find.
ReplyDeleteFrank, thank you so much for your information and follow up too. I love it when someone has first hand information about the subject of a card, and it's especially excellent to have it dated.
ReplyDeleteLinda, yes, I noticed the lady and her dress too. An era has passed.
Beth, thank you, I glad you enjoyed it.
What a lovely card! How interesting that mail traveled this way at one time....across oceans, even, and how long one must have waited for letters....but I guess it is quicker than by Pony Express or stagecoach!!!
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