Sir, – Like Alastair Conan (Letters, July 4th), I was rather dismayed by the detail of Irish Rail’s long-promised, but much-delayed, return of the trolley-service (“Irish Rail says catering service to return to Intercity lines by end of year”, News, July 2nd) and its rather lacklustre comparison with continental train services but wish to note a further limitation: drink. It is currently impossible to buy an alcoholic drink on an Irish Rail train (with one exception) and illicit to bring one’s own can of beer or bottle of wine on board.
Lest pessimists suggest it is somehow impossible to trust (or police) the Irish traveller with drink, this would not be a novelty but rather a return to form.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, beer and wine were available from the trolley services on Irish Rail services (aside from very limited prohibitions at certain routes and times) and drink can still be purchased on the Enterprise service (which, being jointly run by NI Railways, seems to be shielded from Irish Rail’s follies).
Moreover, it is a feature of rail travel on the continent where one can usually bring drinks on any railway service (and many serve drinks). Likewise, I was recently travelling in England where I was able to pick up sandwiches and cans of beer for friends and I to enjoy for lunch as we went smoothly on to our destination.
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As a train will hardly be faster than a car, surely the best ways to tempt people to take it rather than drive is the pleasure of the journey, including the ability to have a relaxing beer or share a bottle of wine with one’s travelling companions? – Yours, etc,
WILLIAM DUNNE,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.
