THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY 313 



is recorded was in 1877, when the total number of 

 visitors was 10,844. 



It had already become evident that more ground 

 would be required, and it was decided to take the 

 remainder of the triangular area enclosed by Merrion, 

 Simmonscourt, and Anglesea roads. The additional 

 twelve acres Lord Pembroke very liberally granted on 

 lease at the same rate as the first holding. The 

 Society subsequently purchased the fee simple of the 

 entire holding on very favourable terms. Building 

 now proceeded rapidly, and every available interval 

 between the shows was utilised to add a new hall, 

 or to carry out the improvements which experience 

 suggested. It is interesting to examine the plans 

 published in the catalogues of successive shows of 

 this period, and to observe the progressive growth 

 of the buildings. In a report of December 1891, 

 the Council pointed out that there was room in 

 the permanent buildings for the stabling of 1350 

 horses. 



The construction of what is known as the loop 

 line, which connected the Kingstown railway with the 

 other railways having termini in Dublin, afforded the 

 Society the opportunity of placing the show grounds 

 in immediate communication by rail with the Irish 

 railway system generally. With this view the 

 Society purchased from Lord Pembroke eleven acres 

 of ground lying between Merrion road and the rail- 

 way, and constructed the branch line and sidings 

 which have proved such a convenience to exhibitors 

 and to the public. The Society bore the entire cost 

 of this work, including an expenditure of ^500 on 

 the property of the railway company, in making the 

 necessary connections. The first train passed over the 

 line on April the 7th, 1893. 



