FROM THE ARCHIVES:The Whit bank holiday a century ago was marked by an exodus of Dubliners from the city, according to this report. –
JOE JOYCE
YESTERDAY WAS a glorious summer day. With a westerly wind and a falling barometer on Sunday, grave fears were entertained that a change was about to take place in the weather, but early in the morning all doubts were dispelled by the promise of a beautiful day. A cloudless sky and a blazing sun welcomed the pleasure-seekers, and all Dublin and his wife turned out to enjoy the day.
It was truly an out-of-doors holiday, and it is very gratifying to be able to state that no serious mishap occurred to mar the pleasures of the multitude. Had it not been for the invasion of our friends from the country, Dublin would have presented a deserted appearance, as in the early hours of the day almost everyone seemed to be en route to some rendezvous.
The Baldoyle Races attracted a record crowd, probably one of the largest ever seen on the popular racecourse. The Exhibition at Ballsbridge was also a great centre of interest, the attendance reaching a very high record. In the adjoining jumping enclosure the All-Ireland Athletic Championships were competed for, while every golf course, cricket, and tennis ground was fully occupied by enthusiastic followers of these games.
Many people visited the Phœnix Park and Zoological Gardens, whilst the silvery strands to the north and south of Dublin were thickly dotted with youngsters.
The week-end and day excursions provided by the railway and steamboat companies were largely availed of. One of the most delightful of these excursions was the trip to Oban, organised by Mr. Forsythe, the Dublin agent of the Burns Line. Every berth was booked and with the magnificent weather which has prevailed over the week-end, the excursionists have enjoyed a right royal time.
Several special trains carried large parties of trippers to far-famed Killarney, and the wonderfully cheap and truly delightful Shannon Lakes excursion was well patronised. On the South-Eastern Railway, Kingstown, Bray, Greystones and the Vale of Avoca were crowded with holidaymakers. To the West, the Midland Railway carried large crowds of pleasure-seekers, many of whom journeyed by rail to Clifden, thence by motor char-a-banc along the shores of the great Killary Fjord to Leenane, and on to Westport and Mallaranny. The rush to the North was as great as to the other parts, the Great Northern Company despatching many crowded trains to Bundoran, Warrenpoint and other places.
In the evening there were many attractions provided in the form of indoor amusements by the Gaiety Theatre, Theatre Royal, Empire Theatre, Tivoli Theatre, and the various picture houses. The Augustinian Bazaar at the Rotunda was also well patronised, and the boxing contests in the Antient Concert Rooms drew a large crowds of “sports”.
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