Pat Purcell Papers. Transcribed by Selina Lawlor. Carlow Sentinel. August 1846. ARRIVAL OF THE LORD LIEUTENANT IN CARLOW. His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant left Viceregal Lodge, on Thursday last, at one, and arrived by a special train in Carlow, at 20 minutes past two o'clock, the journey, 56 miles, being performed in one hour and 29 minutes - the speed at some parts of the line averaging 50 miles an hour. His Excellency was accompanied by Sir John Macneil, Engineer - in-chief, Mr Durance, head of the locomotive department, who drove the engine himself; and by Mr Elwin, chief superintendent of the traffic department. His Excellency expressed to Sir John Macneil and the officers of the company, his marked approval of the entire arrangements, and observed that hitherto he entertained no idea of the perfection to which railways had approached in Ireland. There were eight horses from the Carlow Club House in readiness at the terminus, and his Excellency, without further delay, accompanied by Ladies Harriett, Emily and Kathleen Ponsonby, the Hon. Gerald Ponsonby, Captain Henry Ponsonby, and Mr Gerry Connellan, in two private carriages, proceeded to Bessborough, the family residence of the noble Earl at Piltown. We are happy to learn that his Excellency appeared in the enjoyment of good health. His Excellency travelled in a strictly private capacity, and, consequently, there was no guard of honour in waiting to receive him.