This postcard depicts a characteristic Irish cab vehicle, the "jaunting car".

In many cities of the English-speaking world, two main types of cabs co-existed. One was the slow four-wheeler, which could carry up to four passengers and a lot of luggage. The other was a fast, two-wheeled vehicle normally seating one or two persons. In London and other English cities the two-wheeled cab was the hansom (as it was in American cities like New York, Chicago and San Francisco). In Ireland, it was the "jaunting car".

In the postcard the two passengers are clinging to their seats rather apprehensively, and no wonder -- they are perched about five feet off the ground, in clear danger of being hurled into space by the slightest bump. They know how much their welfare depends on the competence and goodwill of the driver, and don't seem too happy about it.

This little verse accompanies the picture:

"If you want to drive round Dublin shure you'll find me on the stand,
I'll take you to Raheny to pick cockles on the Strand,
I'll take you to the Phoenix Park, to Nancy Hands and then
I'll take you to the strawberry beds and back to town again."

The card is postmarked June 13, 1903.