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| RAILROAD BRIDGE, DROGHEDA.- This massive structure, looking sufficiently solid to last for centuries, spans the Boyne at Drogheda, connecting the counties of Meath and Louth, on the Great Northern Railway ine, which traverses most of the neighboring provinces of Leiinster and Ulster. Ireland has greatly improved her railroad facilities in recent years, and now the "light railroad" system enables the people to travel cheaply and rapidly in even the remote portions of the country. On this account, tourist traffic has greatly increased, and the hotels, many of which were old-fashioned and uncomfortable until quite lately, have been compelled to keep pace with the forward movement of the times. Mr. A. J. Balfout, although a Tory and a Coercionist, who obtained an unenviable nickname during his incumbency of the office of Secretary for Ireland, did much for the "light railway" project, displaying the shrewdness and practicality of his Scottish origin. In Ireland, the main railroads are very solidly buile, thoroughly fenced in, so that cattle cannot stray on the tracks, and unsafe bridges and trestles are unknown. The bridge shown in the picture gives a good idea of the strength of Irish railway architecture. |
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