MIKE WALKER,
Madam, - In Kylemore Castle on Sunday last. we saw the book of sale from 1902. In it it is stated that Kylemore Castle is six hours from Dublin. What futuristic transport system whisked the Victorians in just six hours to the edge of Connemara. It took us seven hours driving judiciously on Friday. Could it have been the railway? - Yours, etc.,
MIKE WALKER, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow
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Madam, - As Isambard Kingdom Brunel vies with Churchill and Princess Diana for the BBC's "greatest Briton" title, it is worth noting that Brunel was responsible for Ireland once holding the world land speed record.
In 1844 Brunel's "atmospheric railway" was being tested on the Kingstown (as it then was) and Dalkey line. Instead of several carriages, a single uncoupled one was accidentally hauled down the line at some 84 m.p.h. A young student, Frank Ebrington, unwittingly caught inside, thus became the world's fastest human. Doubtless he remains the fastest train passenger in Ireland to this day.
Yours, etc.,
KEVIN O'SULLIVAN, Ballyraine Park, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.