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Mr Roberts, M.P., British Minister for Pensions enjoying a drive on a jaunting car around St. Stephens' Green. Photograph by W.D. Hogan, 9th December 1924. Roberts is at the right, holding the umbrella.

Long after the hansom cab disappeared from London streets the jaunting car was still such an institution in Irish cities that even visiting dignitaries would perch on them for photo opportunities. Frederick Owen Roberts (1876-1941) served on the British delegation to the ill-fated boundary commission that was set up in 1924 to define the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State.

Source:
Reproduction rights owned by National Library of Ireland (call no. HOG176).
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Bloomsday for Cab Drivers / 16

The Jaunting Car / 3

In spite of the danger -- or maybe because of it -- the jaunting car was not without its romantic possibilities.

Taking a car home after a party, Molly and one of her husband's friends manage some not so innocent flirtation on the side-seat literally behind Bloom's back:

Bloom and Chris Callinan were on one side of the car and I was with the wife [Molly] on the other. We started singing glees and duets: LO, THE EARLY BEAM OF MORNING. She was well primed with a good load of Delahunt's port under her bellyband. Every jolt the bloody car gave I had her bumping up against me. Hell's delights! She has a fine pair, God bless her. Like that.

He held his caved hands a cubit from him, frowning:

--I was tucking the rug under her and settling her boa all the time. Know what I mean? [10 554 / 11226]