FROM THE ARCHIVES:It's the time of the year for local Amusements Committees to bestir themselves on behalf of tourism, as this editorial noted in 1890. – JOE JOYCE
The time has come round again when we should be looking forward to maintaining the attractions of our City and Suburbs for summer residents and tourists. We do this under some peculiar difficulties every year.
There are none of the adventitious aids that they have at their command in some English cities and in the Scottish capital, which has just had a visit from a Royal Prince, and, it is said, may expect one from her Majesty in August.
But every successive season a larger number of strangers, nevertheless, from the interior of the country or from England, take up their residence at Bray, Dalkey, Kingstown, Howth, or other neighbouring seaside resort. It is necessary to cater for their amusement, as well as for that of our regular populations. We see, therefore, with satisfaction that the local Amusements Committees are again displaying the same activity which has before been so gratefully appreciated.
The band and regatta funds of Bray, Dalkey, and elsewhere, we hope will be subscribed to freely and liberally. The sooner the applications go out the better. There is ground for expecting that the response will be more generous than at other times. Trade has been better, and there is more disposition to gaiety among all classes of the people. No social bitterness exists of a sort to mar these public pleasures. The masses cannot be jealous with respect to them, for a large part of the enjoyment will be theirs also. They are excluded nowadays from no public festival or pastime. They ought to feel under an obligation to the ladies and gentlemen who organise those outings, which are within their reach on the seashore or in the public parks.
There is no city in the Empire where the opportunities of enjoying fresh air and recreation are greater. We hope, then, that with the hearty sympathy of every inhabitant those who have been accustomed to take the lead in every variety of open-air fête or entertainment will at an early moment prepare for the coming months, and devise so richly for us as to warrant a strong claim on the public for support. [ . . . ]
A great deal has been done of late to increase the advantages of our coast to the sojourner. The improvement of the Esplanade wall at Bray, and the opening of the Cliff road round Killiney for driving and for pedestrians, add greatly to the opportunities of enjoying the beauty of the landscape and the benefit of sea air. Those who have been round all the resorts that are in greatest request come back to say that there are not anywhere spots so charming as are to be found within the circuit of our bay.
Their temptations to the holiday-maker and health-seeker are but imperfectly developed. Hints may yet be given for turning them to larger account. The purpose of these remarks is only to indicate that the hour has come for preparation.