The Sunny Side of Ireland How to see it by the Great Southern and Western Railway

Step aboard a journey through Ireland’s sun‑lit coasts and rolling interiors, all traced by the Great Southern and Western Railway. This guide paints the landscape with plain, honest detail, from the quiet waters of the Shannon at Athlone to the dramatic cliffs of Kerry where Skellig Michael crowns the horizon. Seven hand‑drawn maps and more than a hundred illustrations help listeners picture each stop, while brief notes on Gaelic place‑names reveal the stories hidden in the language.

Beyond scenery, the book offers a snapshot of 19th‑century life on the rails: safe, swift travel replacing perilous coach roads, and lively chapters on local sports, fishing, and the natural history of the south‑west. Readers can glimpse the excitement of early tourism, learn where to enjoy golf, cycling, or a gentle lake‑fishing outing, and hear the railway’s role in knitting Munster and Connaught together. The result is a warm, picture‑rich portrait that invites anyone with an ear for travel to imagine Ireland’s bright side.