Of Miles and Men

Of miles and men

In a previous Kerr’s Corner, I mentioned the scam conducted by Belfast horse-drawn cab drivers on visitors from England, who were charged by the statue mile rather than by the Irish mile – a significant mark-up for the cabbie.  Remember, an Irish mile is 2240 yards, whereas a statue mile is 1760 yards.  I have no idea when Irish miles ceased to be used officially.  Perhaps somebody out there can help.  Many of the old milestones dotted around the countryside are marked out in Irish miles.  Some even show both Irish and statute miles.  I remember when I was a lot younger, that there used to be one opposite the Boundary Bar on the Shore Road but that seems to have disappeared when the road was widened.  I’d be interested in any examples of milestones bearing Irish or dual measurements that are still about in Belfast or Co Antrim.  Contact me on kerrscorner@ulsteronline.org.uk

 
I’ve now come across this piece of verse on the subject…

 
The miles in this country much longer be,

But that is a saving of time you see,

For two of our miles are aiqual to three,

Which shortens the road to a great degree.

 
Incidentally, does anyone recall the first metric sign in Belfast?  When I first started work in 1974, there used to be a sign on the front of a building opposite York Road Railway station.  I think the building was Baird Electronics.  Painted in large letters was the legend, “Grove Theatre, 1km” with an arrow pointing northwards out of town.  Am I imagining this?