Memories in Focus: Portstewart Promenade

Period dress and a leisurely atmosphere prevail in this view of an Edwardian summer afternoon on Portstewart Promenade. The steam train, which was the first in Ireland, awaits passengers for Cromore station and the rail link to Belfast. The tramway was opened in 1882 to provide this link after the local landlord John Cromie had earlier refused permission for the railway to pass through Portstewart on its way to Portrush.