Clifden 50 264,000

This will run in connection with the splendid system of the Midland
and Western Railway, opening up the grand scenery of Connemara, which
to the average Britisher is like a new world. No end of fishing here
among virgin shoals of trout and salmon, and nearly always for
nothing. It was along the first sixteen miles of this line, still
unopened, that I ran on the engine to Oughterard.

Westport to Mulranney 18-1/4 L131,400
To which is added the
Achil Island extension 8-1/4 65,000

This will enable travellers to steam from Dublin to Achil Island via
Midland and Western, instead of the ten hours on an open car, which on
their arrival at Westport now awaits visitors to Dugort. It was on
this line that I had the startling adventures on a fiery untamed bogey
engine, lent to the _Gazette_ by Mr. Robert Worthington, of Dublin.
But I must condense.

Claremorris and Collooney 47 L150,000
Ballina and Killala 6-1/2 44,000
Bantry extension 2 15,000
Baltimore extension 8 56,700
West Kerry and Valentia 27 85,000
Headford and Kenmare 20 50,000
Milltown, Malbay, Kilkee, and Kilrush 26 2% on 120,000
Tuam and Claremorris 17 2 " 97,000
Ballinrobe and Claremorris 12 2 " 71,664

Besides these, similar lines have been constructed, and are now
working between Tralee, Dingle, and Castlegregory; Skibbereen and
Skull; Ballinscarty, Timoleague, and Courtmacsherry. The Cork and
Muskerry Railway, which runs through the groves of Blarney, owes its
completion and success to Mr. Balfour's administration.

Driving from Bray to the Dargle, my jarvey pointed to the ruins of a
light railway undertaken without the aid of the British intellect.
"'Tis a nice mess they made iv it, the quarrelin' pack o' consated
eejits! They must run a chape little thing to the Dargle, about two
miles away, along the roadside, just as Balfour showed them the way.
What have they done? Desthroyed the road. Lost all the money they
could raise. Got the maker to take back the rails (for they bought
thim afore they wanted thim), an' the only thing they now have in the
shape of shareholders' property is a lawsuit wid the Wicklow fol