Sir, – I was coincidentally in Connolly Station reading the funny but ultimately sad article by Róisín Ingle (Life, July 27th) on the appalling standards of Irish Rail when I noticed a Dart train heading northwards on Platform 7 and its destination was clearly marked as “Bray”. Dubliners are well aware of this anomaly from Irish Rail but what do foreign tourists think when they arrive in either Malahide or Howth? – Yours, etc,
RICHARD RODGERS,
Malahide,
Co Dublin.
A chara, – Iarnród Éireann has an impressive large screen in Heuston Station displaying which platform trains will depart from. Every few minutes, new crowds of people form in front of this screen, craning their necks upwards while awaiting the platform number to appear. Sometimes, the platform number appears about five minutes before departure and this results in throngs of passengers running for their train as it is due to depart imminently. Could Iarnród Éireann please display the platform numbers at least 15 minutes before departure, if only out of respect to elderly and disabled passengers? However, if Russia ever attempts to invade Ireland this same board could be useful in stalling said invasion by continuing Iarnród Éireann’s current policy of mass confusion and simply directing the invading horde into the unsuspecting trap that is Heuston Station, thereby demoralising, dissuading, and eliminating said threat. Department of Defence take note. – Is mise,
MAIRTIN O’FALLAMHAIN,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – I’ve just read Róisín Ingle’s most humorous and engaging column today on her travails with her mother on an Irish Rail journey from Galway to Dublin. I also had a similar experience recently on booking a seat on a Bray to Rosslare train. Coach F did not exist! – Yours, etc,
RAY HOGAN,
Enniskerry,
Co Wicklow.