Think Orient Express, but much closer to home...and hopefully less murder.
Ireland is getting its own luxury train, in the style of the Orient Express, which will open in 2016. It will be "the first luxury rail experience of its kind in Ireland" and will traverse "the sprawling countryside, dramatic coasts and fascinating cities that define this captivating land".
Belmond, who have a chain of luxury hotels and run similar train and cruise journeys in other countries, recently bought 10 rail cars from Irish Rail and intend to do them up to the highest standards, drawing on "inspiration from Dublin’s classic Georgian architecture, blended with elements of ancient folklore and tradition".
The train will have room for up to 40 guests, and will allow passengers to take a number of different trips that take up to two, four or six nights, hitting tourist hot spots on the island, both north and south. According to The Independent there will also be nightly entertainment on offer for travellers, who can choose to go to the entertainment car to see live music or hear storytellers weave a tale.
David Franks, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail said that this was a great boost to the tourism industry, and a key vote of confidence in Ireland: "Rail is a key element of our national tourism product, and the launch of Belmond Grand Hibernian represents a strong endorsement of Ireland as a destination by Belmond."
It looks a bit better than the DART, anyway.
Via Independent.ie. Main pic via Belmond
