Derry-Dublin Travellers in 1795 - Our Space 89
On Tuesday, June 23, 1795, the “Derry Journal” reported: “Yesterday morning, at four o’clock, the Londonderry Fly Coach commenced running. It leaves Derry each Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning for Dublin, by Armagh, and from Dublin on the same days, arriving in Derry on the evenings of Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - six inside and four outside.” Fare: inside £2.12.10½d (now c£250!); outside, £1.12s. 6d (now c£150!).
A fly coach was an express stagecoach. But two days travelling wouldn’t have been comfortable - especially sitting outside in wet or cold weather!
Coaches started from The King’s Arms Hotel, subsequently the Convent of Mercy, in Pump Street. You can imagine the sound of horses stamping and harness rattling in that narrow street.
In winter the coaches were fewer and slower because of the condition of the roads. (Maybe fewer people travelled in winter - certainly on the outside seats?)
The 29 December “Journal” carried an advertisement:- “On account of the badness of the roads, the Londonderry Stage Coach shall run but twice in the week, until February, to and from Dublin, setting out from Derry at half-past five on Monday and Thursday morning, stops at Augher the first night, and arrives in Dublin early on Wednesday and Saturday.
“There will be no delay as there are four coaches on the road, besides a number of spare wheels”. (Sounds like wheels were getting broken).
Derry-Dublin now has dozens of daily buses - average ticket price under £20. And the A5 still needs upgrading.