Sunday Excursions

The Galway Express, August 1st, 1885

The season for excursions is now at hand, and scarcely a Sunday passes that we do not hear of an excursion, or read an account of the day's pleasure in some of the various newspapers that come under our notice, but in no instance do we see or hear of an excursion from Galway, unless, indeed, the facility offered by the Citie of the Tribes. But even these excursions are given on week days, when only those whom fortune has smiled on can enjoy the opportunity. There is scarcely a village or town possessed of the advantages of railway accommodation that are not afforded an occasional opportunity of enjoying themselves by a flying visit to some celebrated city or town. Weekly excursions are at present announced from Athlone and intervening static as to Galway, but the capital of the western province of Ireland seems to be forgotten, its inhabitants neglected, and the working—classes deprived of the advantage of that enjoyment which, to the sons of toil, is the most delightful recreation that can be indulged in. Surely Galway should get its share of these privileges. It is strange that this old Citie should be left in the shade, while, for instance, the small town of Athenry will get the privilege of sending its population, or as much of it as wish to appreciate the offer, on an excursion to Limerick, as happened on last Sunday. A number of persons from Galway, who desired to enjoy a day's outing having heard that there would be an excursion from Athenry, actually left here on Saturday night by the midnight train, while others started in busses early on Sunday morning for Athenry, in order to be in time to catch the excursion train starting from that town to Limerick, and their efforts were successful. They enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content, and so loud were they in praise of that enjoyment that a jealousy bas actually sprung up in the minds of the members of several of the local institutions, because the Midland Great Western Railway Company would not give similar facilities to the inhabitants of Galway. Several respectable persons have spoken to us on the subject; they say that they are treated unfairly, and we trust that when our remarks meet the eyes of those in whose hands the matter lies, that it will have the effect of showing that the people of this far—away capital should be dealt with on as reasonable terms as the inhabitants of other places. The Midland Company run excursion trains from Athlone and Ballinasloe to Galway. The Limerick and Ennis people occasionally pay us a visit, but we poor Galwegians must, it appears, be content to admire the faces and costumes of our visitors, for we will not, or at least have not, got an opportunity of seeing the places from which those strangers have come. Really, we think when the company do not hesitate to run Sunday excursions on the line from other towns, they should consider that Galway people are possessed of flesh and blood as well as all the other people in the world; that they are also endowed with sentiment; that they are likewise sensitive to acts of kindness, and that they highly appreciate anything that tends to make their lives happy; if even but for a day; and that they are always sure to remember when they feel that they are badly treated. The latter feeling is taking a strong hold on the minds of the people, and it is nothing strange to hear the subject reverted to wherever a few persons meet or indulge in casual conversation. We therefore trust that the Midland Company will see their way to giving an excursion to Limerick, or some other place worth going to see, we know the boon will be appreciated.