The Henson Journals

[3]

Monday, August 8th, 1927.

We left Mount Stewart about 9 a.m., parting from our kind host & hostess with real regret. Indeed they must be the perfectest [sic] hypocrites on earth if they are not as kind & hospitable as they seem! We motored to Belfast, & there took tickets for Bundoran. We had a through carriage, & travelled with comfort. The customs on entering the Free State were the merest form. The officer grinned as he asked me whether I had any deadly weapons! Lady Gore Booth met us at the station. We put up at the Great Northern Hotel, which was crowded with golfers. Bundoran is evidently a popular health resort. The general appearance of the visitors suggested that they belonged mainly to the lower–middle class. Ramsgate & Margate came to my mind at every turn. We walked to Sea View, West, & had tea with Lady Gore Booth & her family. We returned to the Hotel for dinner, & afterwards walked along the cliffs for an hour. The view of bay & mountain seen in the glory of a brilliant sun setting was superb. Among the numerous visitors, who were taking the air, were a good many priests, and some soldiers of the Free State Army.