The Song of the Old Mother W B Yeats I Rise in the dawn, and I kneel and blow Till the seed of the fire flicker and glow; And then I must scrub and bake and sweep Till stars are beginning to blink and peep; And the young lie long and dream in their bed Of the matching of ribbons for bosom and head, And their day goes over in idleness, And they sigh if the wind but lift a tress; While I must work because I am old, And the seed of the fire gets feeble and cold.

I WAS A LABOURER I was a labourer in the smoky valley, within the high walls, the tall dark walls of the mills, where the hills go up to the wild moor. I am a dog of the dales, broad is my speech, and my ways are not the smooth ways of the south, but hard, and used to keener weather. All week I worked among the looms while the cloth slacked out and the shuttles clacked swiftly, as the woof was shot through the warp and through my brain dim with the webs of years. All week I was the servant of the loom, chained to the steel for the promise of meagre coin, six days a week, but Sunday comes soon, and I am my master for the waking day that found me with my whippet on the moor. O my faithful lass! Soft was her fell; her eyes were like deep pools stained with peat, shafted with light; and intelligent. She was long in the body, but strong of limb and rib, and her muscles moved under the skin like currents in a bay of the river. She was swift as the wind or as the summer swallow, and I would pit her with the local dogs, backing her swiftness with my sweaty coin and many a shilling have I won with her to spend on some wet evening in a pub or buy the tickets at the picture palace when I took out the girl I meant to marry -- but that is all forgotten with the flesh. I was a labourer in the smoky valley: I am a brittle bone projecting from the sand. -- Sean Jennett (born 1910)

The letters beside Eliza look like NK which usually means 'Not Known'. I agree that the birthplace for John looks like your version but it may be what the enumerator heard said rather than how it is actually spelt. This is not helpful of course! I have looked on Seanruad for a number of combinations of this word without success. The only COVEs in the Griffiths Valuations that I can see are in Kilkenny county. Others may have more useful suggestions. Best wishes, Patsy - New Zealand - Subject: [IRELAND] Birthplace for Cove family > Hi > I am new to this list having just found that one of my ancestors was born > in Ireland. > The only problem is that I cannot understand the writing o the place that > he was born in. It could be Theynesiolly or Theyneswitty I just can't make > it out.... > It is written as his birthplace on the 1851 census where he was residing > at Tower Hamlets, Stepney, London. His name is John Cove born abt 1824. Is > there anyone out there that would be willing to decipher it for me? I can > send a copy of the census to you. His wife Eliza also has the birthplace > R.K. or S.K. does anyone know what this means? > Also I wonder was the surname Cove a common name and did they live in a > certain part in Ireland? > Thanking you Chris G >

Hi Mike Thanks for that info and the web sites to where I can search. Being new to tracing Irish relatives I was stuck a little. Especially with not being able to find the birth place. but now at least have something to start with. Happy New Year regards Chris G > On Thu, Jan 1, 2009 at 2:11 PM, chris giles > <chrisgiles46@hotmail.com>wrote: > >> Hi >> I am new to this list having just found that one of my ancestors was born >> in Ireland. >> The only problem is that I cannot understand the writing o the place that >> he was born in. It could be Theynesiolly or Theyneswitty I just can't >> make >> it out.... > > > Chris, > > Here are several possibilities but I am inclined to believe Co. Kilkenny > is > probably where you should concentrate your search. I found two John > Cove's > baptismal records both in Co. Kilkenny. The Irish Family History > Foundation > can be searched for free if one registers. If one wants to purchase the > information it can be done online. > > The IreAtlas Townland Data Base > Townland AKA Acres County Barony Civil Parish PLU Province > Tinaslatty 257 Kilkenny Ida The Rower New Ross Leinster > Tinnaslatty 771 Kilkenny Galmoy Aharney Urlingford Leinster > Tullyratty 223 Down Lecale Lower Ballyculter Downpatrick Ulster > http://www.seanruad.com/cgi-bin/iresrch > > Irish Family History Foundation > Church Baptism Cove John 1809 Co. Kilkenny > Church Baptism Cove John 1834 Co. Kilkenny > http://ifhf.brsgenealogy.com/map.php > > Happy New Year, > > Mike Saunders > Universal City, TX > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > IRELAND-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi I am new to this list having just found that one of my ancestors was born in Ireland. The only problem is that I cannot understand the writing o the place that he was born in. It could be Theynesiolly or Theyneswitty I just can't make it out.... It is written as his birthplace on the 1851 census where he was residing at Tower Hamlets, Stepney, London. His name is John Cove born abt 1824. Is there anyone out there that would be willing to decipher it for me? I can send a copy of the census to you. His wife Eliza also has the birthplace R.K. or S.K. does anyone know what this means? Also I wonder was the surname Cove a common name and did they live in a certain part in Ireland? Thanking you Chris G

Chris, Griffith Vauation list three Cove surnames in Ireland. Cove Francis Jamesgreen,Jamesgreen St. Canices Kilkenny Cove Joseph Jamesgreen,Jamesgreen St. Canices Kilkenny Cove Francis Lane To Bishop's Meadows,Bishopsmeadows St. Canices Kilkenny The following URL has links to Kilkenny sites: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/kilkenny/ Bob Cdn ====================================

On Thu, Jan 1, 2009 at 2:11 PM, chris giles <chrisgiles46@hotmail.com>wrote: > Hi > I am new to this list having just found that one of my ancestors was born > in Ireland. > The only problem is that I cannot understand the writing o the place that > he was born in. It could be Theynesiolly or Theyneswitty I just can't make > it out.... Chris, Here are several possibilities but I am inclined to believe Co. Kilkenny is probably where you should concentrate your search. I found two John Cove's baptismal records both in Co. Kilkenny. The Irish Family History Foundation can be searched for free if one registers. If one wants to purchase the information it can be done online. The IreAtlas Townland Data Base Townland AKA Acres County Barony Civil Parish PLU Province Tinaslatty 257 Kilkenny Ida The Rower New Ross Leinster Tinnaslatty 771 Kilkenny Galmoy Aharney Urlingford Leinster Tullyratty 223 Down Lecale Lower Ballyculter Downpatrick Ulster http://www.seanruad.com/cgi-bin/iresrch Irish Family History Foundation Church Baptism Cove John 1809 Co. Kilkenny Church Baptism Cove John 1834 Co. Kilkenny http://ifhf.brsgenealogy.com/map.php Happy New Year, Mike Saunders Universal City, TX

Hi Chris - The surname search at www.ireland.com/ancestor/ shows that there were only three COVE households in the whole of Ireland (1848-1864 Primary Valuation) and ALL in Co. Kilkenny. For a small fee, they can tell you which civil parish/es they lived in. Do you have a definite reference to Ireland, as opposed to Scotland, another place in England, etc. that might have a reference to "Theyne...." Do you have a maiden ("nee") surname for a marriage that took place in Ireland? Do any of the sons have an unusual given name that could reflect mother's maiden name in disguise or another surname important to the family? The all-Ireland townland search at the Leitrim-Roscommon.com website shows some "sound-alikes" for Co. Kilkenny but nothing that starts with Th. When I set the search for Co. Kilkenny and "ends with y," I was returned 144 hits, which you can check out. If you feel certain that it begins with a T, then probably one of these locations: Townland AKA Acres County Barony Civil Parish PLU Province Tibberaghny 1,147 Kilkenny Iverk Tibberaghny Carrick on Suir Leinster Tinaslatty 257 Kilkenny Ida The Rower New Ross Leinster Tinnakeenly 188 Kilkenny Gowran Powerstown Thomastown Leinster Tinnakilly 262 Kilkenny Iverk Fiddown Carrick on Suir Leinster Tinnakilly 228 Kilkenny Shillelogher Killaloe Callan Leinster Tinnaranny 826 Kilkenny Ida Rosbercon New Ross Leinster Tinnascarty 112 Kilkenny Galmoy Sheffin Urlingford Leinster Tinnascolly 300 Kilkenny Ida The Rower New Ross Leinster Tinnaslatty 771 Kilkenny Galmoy Aharney Urlingford Leinster Tomakeany 191 Kilkenny Fassadinin Kilmacar Castlecomer Leinster Tullanvoolty 435 Kilkenny Galmoy Erke Urlingford Leinster ----- Original Message ----- From: "chris giles" <chrisgiles46@hotmail.com> To: <IRELAND@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2009 12:11 PM Subject: [IRELAND] Birthplace for Cove family > Hi > I am new to this list having just found that one of my ancestors was born > in Ireland. > The only problem is that I cannot understand the writing o the place that > he was born in. It could be Theynesiolly or Theyneswitty I just can't make > it out.... > It is written as his birthplace on the 1851 census where he was residing > at Tower Hamlets, Stepney, London. His name is John Cove born abt 1824. Is > there anyone out there that would be willing to decipher it for me? I can > send a copy of the census to you. His wife Eliza also has the birthplace > R.K. or S.K. does anyone know what this means? > Also I wonder was the surname Cove a common name and did they live in a > certain part in Ireland? > Thanking you Chris G

Does anyone know where I can find vital records, particularly birrths / baptisms for the townlands of Slaghtybogy and Maghera, (and also any other VR's or substitutes for the Parish of Maghera )in the 1700's? Many thanks, Jim

Hi Jim - What surnames are you researching? You might want to compose an addendum with the surnames in caps on the subject line. Perhaps you, and others, might be interested in the following books for research/background: 1. "Tracing Your Irish Ancestors," John Grenham (Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD, 1997), is a reader-friendly, comprehensive reference by expert Grenham with detailed explanations of all types of records available, (censuses and census substitutes) to include voter's lists, military, journals, directories, graveyard inscriptions, and a chapter on each county in the whole of Ireland. 2. Irish Immigrants in the Land of Canaan: Letters and Memoirs from Colonial and Revolutionary America, 1675-1815 by Kerby A. Miller, Arnold Schrier, Bruce D. Boling, and David N. Doyle (Paperback - Mar 27, 2003). Also available in hardback. Excerpt - page 568: "... , Pa., to John, Robert, and James Johnson, Slaghtybogy, c/o James Barclay, Maghera, Co. Derry, 27 November 1767. 3. Colby, Col., "Ordnance Survey Memoir of the County of Londonderry" (Dublin 1837). 4. PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland), "A Register of Trees for Co. Londonderry, 1768-1911 (Belfast 1984), includes names of tenant planters. 5. Spinning-Wheel Premium Lists. Microfiche index in National Archives (Dublin). Names and parishes of those granted spinning-wheels by the government on the basis of areas planted with flax, comprising, in the case of Co. Londonderry, over 8,000 names. 6. In the mid-to-late 1990s, Angelique Day and Patrick McWilliams produced many reference books on the 1830's "Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland" to include at least two on Co. Londonderry. Jean ----- Original Message ----- From: "james0319" <james0319@aol.com> To: <irl-ulster@rootsweb.com>; <ireland-l@rootsweb.com>; <irl-surnames-l@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2009 8:12 AM Subject: [IRELAND] Parish of Maghera,Co.Londonderry 1700's Vital Records > Does anyone know where I can find vital records, particularly birrths / > baptisms for the townlands of Slaghtybogy and Maghera, (and also any other > VR's or substitutes for the Parish of Maghera )in the 1700's? Many > thanks, Jim >

TRUCE It begins with one or two soldiers And one or two following With hampers over their shoulders. They might be off wildfowling As they would another Christmas Day, So gingerly they pick their steps. No one seems sure of what to do. All stop when one stops. A fire gets lit. Some spread Their greatcoats on the frozen ground. Polish vodka, fruit and bread Are broken out and passed round. The air of an old German song, The rules of Patience, are the secrets They'll share before long. They draw on their last cigarettes As Friday-night lovers, when it's over, Might get up from their mattresses To congratulate each other And exchange names and addresses. -- Paul Muldoon. The Christmas Truce of 1914 is one of the most remarkable incidents of WW-I and perhaps of all military history, with enemies laying down their arms for some hours, singing Christmas songs, sharing food, and binding up each other's wounds. It began in some places on Christmas Eve and other on Christmas Day, the truce covered as much as two-thirds of the British-German front, with thousands of soldiers taking part. Perhaps most remarkably, it grew out of no single initiative but sprang up in each place spontaneously and independently. Many first-hand accounts have been transcribed to the Internet.

BE THOU MY VISION Irish Hymn Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one. Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight; Thou my soul's Shelter, Thou my high Tower: Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power. Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise, Thou mine Inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art. High King of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heaven's Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. Dal­lan For­gaill (translated from the Irish by Ma­ry E. Byrne, Versified by El­ea­nor H. Hull) -- Recorded by "The Irish Tenors" Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, John McDermott - "Sacred, A Spiritual Journey" (2005)

peep I see you ,Val! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Val Kenelley" <valkenelley@bigfoot.com.au> To: <ireland@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 12:01 PM Subject: Re: [IRELAND] emails absent > Thanks Frances > I take it i will not see my messages to the list, so if no one answers > them > for any reason I still will not know .i must have missed a rule change > somewhere. > Val > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Frances Kenney" <fkenney@iprimus.com.au> > To: <ireland@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2008 9:29 PM > Subject: Re: [IRELAND] emails absent > > >> Hi Val >> >> Your mesage has come through so you are back on the list. >> >> Frances >> >> >>>> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> IRELAND-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > IRELAND-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Thanks Frances I take it i will not see my messages to the list, so if no one answers them for any reason I still will not know .i must have missed a rule change somewhere. Val ----- Original Message ----- From: "Frances Kenney" <fkenney@iprimus.com.au> To: <ireland@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2008 9:29 PM Subject: Re: [IRELAND] emails absent > Hi Val > > Your mesage has come through so you are back on the list. > > Frances > > >>> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > IRELAND-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi Val Your mesage has come through so you are back on the list. Frances At 09:25 PM 28/12/2008, you wrote: >Hi. >Sorry to show my ignorance but how can i tell if my emails get to the list >I havent seen one since i have been back on line my daughter re >connected me to the list. >I also thought it was Ireland L. that i typed in >I Know someone will put me right. >Thanks Val > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >IRELAND-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >quotes in the subject and the body of the message > >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com >Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.0/1866 - Release Date: >12/27/2008 8:49 PM

Hi. Sorry to show my ignorance but how can i tell if my emails get to the list I havent seen one since i have been back on line my daughter re connected me to the list. I also thought it was Ireland L. that i typed in I Know someone will put me right. Thanks Val

MUTE MOMENTS AT DRUMSNA Swanning up and down The quiet waters Year after year With a regal air Such a habitual pair Wild yet tame Wet yet dry Necks alertly held On high Perfect Parents Permanent Pair Seven cygnets Brown & Grey On turning white they Fly away But the old ones always stay They have an obvious sense Of place In a changing world Why does it feel so good To see them every evening Heading homeward together. "M. R."-- "Leitrim Guardian"

SNIPPET: In the Jan-Feb 2004 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine, Lisa CLIFFORD, Millersville, PA, shared a recent visit to Kilkee, Co. Clare: ".... In Ireland, two summers ago, we came up to Kilkee from Cloghane on the Dingle Peninsula, and had the loveliest stay of our trip at the Nature Quest Lodge, in Co. Clare, just a few miles east of Kilkee at Blackweir Bridge. Our hosts, Eugene and Felicity O'KELLY were the warmest and most generous people, and their knowledge of the area guided us to many interesting experiences. On our first evening there, we walked the cliffs, which overlook the town of Kilkee and the Atlantic Ocean; we found this walk breathtaking. The next morning, we took our children to the tide pools just below the cliffs, and where it was deep enough for them to dive in, and bring back starfish. The children also saw and touched hermit crabs, anemones, sea urchin and more starfish - the flora too in the pools was the longest flowing beautifully hued green I have ever seen. The O'KELLYs put us in contact with a bird watcher who had caught a warbler that morning and he let the children take it out the cloth bag and let it go free, which excited them greatly. He then took us out to the very end of the Loop Head and where he shared legends, identified birds for us. We walked out to the lighthouse and sat on the edge of its cliff watching the Atlantic. Kilkee itself was just beginning to prepare for its summer season. It has a very colourful and lively Main Street, with lots of shops and cafes serving delicious food, with helpful, friendly people everywhere...." (Note that the May-June 2003 issue had an article on Kilkee). Valerie WHITBY, Wells, Somerset, England wrote: "In 1993, my daughter, her husband I had a wonderful walking holiday in Kerry. We climbed many of the high peaks and walked around the lakes and finally one memorable day, we went over to the Blasket Islands. I had read 'Twenty Years a Growing' but never dreamt I would ever set foot on the Blasket Islands myself. Although my late husband John was half-Irish; he was born and grew up in Ireland until he was ten ... sadly, we never got to go to Ireland together. As he grew older, he seemed to turn back to Ireland more and more, and became drawn to things Irish. We went to see 'The Chieftains' several times, when they came to Bristol and have many of their recordings. I really look forward to every issue of 'Ireland of the Welcomes and in some strange way, I feel John left me Ireland to help fill the gap his death left in my life. If only we could have enjoyed it together, but maybe he is there in spirit." Susan LIPSETT, Bowen Island, British Columbia wrote: "Last June, my husband and I made our sixth trip to your lovely country in the past six years. This time we flew into Dublin, rented a car and headed North. We drove around the entire coast, returning to Dublin one month later. We crossed the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, walked around the Giant's Causeway, drove around every peninsula, climbed Knocknarea and Skellig Michael, visited Inishmore and Aranmore, went to Fossetts Circus and Bru Boru, and in we went to see Luka Bloom and Joe Dolan in concert ... had many other wonderful experiences. We thought we would be complete with Ireland but no, we can't wait to go back. Many people ask why this obsession with the Emerald Isle. I tell them that it is a combination of many things - the warmth and generosity of the people, as demonstrated by the outstanding loving care of the special athletes during the Special Olympics, (we were in Dungloe with the team from Uruguay), the scenery which is varied and absolutely incredible, the lovely animals wandering all over, the smell of peat burning, the food, the music .... the beaches. I could go on and on. Ireland stole my heart the first time we flew over and looked at the green fields from the plane. Thank you IOTW for keeping me in touch until 2004, when my husband and I will return again." (Note is made by the editor that the Special Olympics was featured in the Nov-Dec 2003 issue)

SNIPPET: Readers shared their experiences in Ireland in the May-June 1999 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine: Janet A. SIMMONS, Ashburnham, MA, shared: "It has been my privilege and pleasure to visit Inis Mor on the Aran Islands for the past three years. Each day while I was there, I stopped at a small restaurant in Kilmurvey at noon for 'tea and scones,' where I witnessed an episode that to me, epitomises the wonder of Ireland and the Irish people. I was sipping my tea when I noticed an elderly gentleman opposite me carefully nurturing a sandwich and tea. He stopped briefly and removed several coins from his pocket which he counted slowly. Then he finished his tea and sat looking about, apparently enjoying his stay. At this point, the manager of the restaurant approached him with a full cup of steaming tea, which he placed before the gentleman. The old gentleman took out his coins but the manager waved them away and left. What impressed me was the fact that the entire act was carried out with the deepest respect and dignity, there was no hint of condescension. To me, this is real Ireland - may you never lose your graciousness. I shall return in 1999 to your kind, thoughtful, considerate people." Peter & Bobbie WARNER, Redonda Beach, CA wrote: "My wife and I have been receiving your magazine for several years in anticipation of a trip to Ireland. We finally joined another couple in September 1998 and drove through the beautiful countryside. We concluded our trip with friends in Belfast. Since the second day was rainy, we decided to stay local and visit a village they thought we would like - Hillsborough. Imagine our excitement upon reading your article on Hillsborough in the Nov-Dec 1998 issue. The pictures brought back so many memories of a trip thoroughly enjoyed by all of us..." Edna K. STAFFORD, Wharton, NJ, penned, "While on vacation in Ireland, a friend and I went for a picnic on the Beara Peninsula, in Co. Cork. Cheese, wine, fruit and bread were purchased in the local shop, but ice was not on hand. We drove through some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable while looking for a place to purchase ice. Finally we reached a village and we were directed to a fishing pier with a huge ice-maker and locker. An obliging passer-by opened the locker and we obtained plenty of ice, but no one was around to offer payment to. Some time later while enjoying our picnic in a gorgeous scenic lay-by, a voice called out, 'Did you get your ice?' I replied that I had and asked him how he knew. With a grin he replied that he was in the shop in the village when I had asked for ice. I'm sure when your readers visit Ireland, they will find the stuff for fond memories as I have." Ed TONER, Brick, NJ, shared: "I'm glad to see an Irish shipyard doing a replica of the "Jeanie Johnston." She should be an asset and could prove very useful in many ways, as well as being a shot in the arm for Irish shipbuilding. As an aside, last summer there was a replica of one of the ships in Columbus's flotilla, the "Nina," on display at the Barnegat Light Seaport Museum in NJ. My wife Marlene, (who is from Lucan, in Dublin), and I drove down to pay a visit. It was a rewarding experience. The replica was magnificent. Close inspection of the builders plaque, told us that the man behind the project was none other than an Irish-American from NY, Patrick SARSFIELD, whose namesake's demesne is in Lucan today. Small world!" E. Cahalane JENNINGS, Victoria, Australia, wrote: "I have been receiving your lovely magazine since I visited my cousins in Ireland in November 1997 and have been re-visiting them with each issue. As a child I always felt a close affinity with my Irish roots, as I was named after my great-grandmother, who was Miss Elizabeth CAHALANE, before she married. I received her surname as did my mother. I had not been to Ireland since 1981 when my mother generously paid for my trip. She wanted me to see the home of her father John MURRAY, who left Cork in 1887 to sail to Australia. My grandfather's letters home to Ireland were kept by his young brother Denis, who also wrote regularly and sent him the Irish newspapers. These letters were kept in the family by Denis's daughter and they proved invaluable to me when I was writing my Master thesis. The first chapter dealt with an Irish childhood in Australia. As my grandfather died before I was born, I like to think that he would have been pleased with my efforts to reflect on his stories. Fiana GRIFFIN's article on "Why Do the Irish Speak English," in the Nov-Dec 1998 issue reminded me of the impact on first seeing bi-lingual signposts and street names in Ireland. The Irish language is still alive in Melbourne, Australia, where classes in Irish grammar and conversation are run in adult education schools. I enjoy reading IOTW, congratulations on a quality magazine." Eileen SULLIVAN, Kyabram, Victoria, Australia, wrote: "What a lovely surprise for Christmas, IOTW with my favourite section, 'Byways Rather than Highways' featuring 'Towns of Tipperary.' Over the years we have been able to contact many of our relatives in Co. Tipperary and other counties. It is a great feeling to be able to visit the places where our ancestors came from and wonder how they must have felt leaving their home and travelling to this new country, in most cases never to see the rest of their families again. They were very brave or desperate people. We have always marvelled at the great history that surrounds Ireland .... In Australia, we do not see the evidence of an early way of living such as castles, round towers, ring forts and megalithic tombs ... Through IOTW we can share a little bit of Ireland with our friends in Australia." Bobbie Keith HOUSTON, Lafayette, LA, shared: "The photographs in IOTW provide a visual feast for anyone, but especially for those of us who are artists. I first visited your country several years ago and my dream since that time has been to return - just to paint. Last summer I had the good fortune of accompanying a group of fellow artists for the sole purpose of painting for two glorious weeks ... first in the wildly beautiful countryside of Connemara, then in the charming little fishing village of Dingle. Not only is the scenery inspirational, but the people are so wonderfully friendly and many of them were perfect studies for an artist, from the rugged fishermen hauling a boat onto a rocky beach at Killary Bay to the beautiful girl playing Celtic melodies on a flute outside a Dingle pub."

SNIPPET: In the Jan-Feb 2006 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine, readers shared their thoughts on the Emerald Isle: James D. HOWLETT, Seal Beach, CA, wrote: "It is with a lot of nostalgia and fond memories that I read your article on Lismore Castle in the Sept/Oct 2006 issue. I was fortunate to be appointed to the position of Station Master in Lismore from 1956 to 1959 before I transferred to Sligo and eventually Waterford, where I ended my thirteen-year service with C. I. E. by emigrating to the United States with my wife and three children. Our three years in Lismore were some of the happiest years of our fifty-four marriage; the people of Lismore are wonderful. The Duke probably does not remember coming to the station with his sister when he was around ten years old, and he very politely asked if they could get a ride on a locomotive that was marshalling in the yard. The driver of the locomotive kindly obliged by taking the children out, needless to say they were delighted with their experience. It was always my understanding that the railway from Lismore to Fermoy was originally built by one of the Dukes of Devonshire, I believe it was around the late 1800s. It was considered to be a protective measure because at that time Fermoy was home to the largest contingent of British troops which could be transported by train very swiftly in the event of local troubles in Lismore or the surrounding area. There was another train station just down the road from the main Lismore depot, which was part of the Dungarvan to Lismore Railway and this was run by a separate company. Eventually all local railways were joined together to form part of the Great Southern Railway and became a Royal Mail route linking Ireland and England through the port of Rosslare Harbour, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. I still love to visit Lismore when I travel home and I always call to see many of the friends which we made during the short time we spent there all those years ago. But the whole population of Lismore were our friends and when we reminisced about our lives in Ireland, Lismore and its people were always top of the list. I would love to see a complete feature about Lismore, its people, and history in your magazine. I hope that I will get one more chance to visit these wonderful places and sit with my friends and chat the 'good old days' and all the fun and camaraderie we had together." The editor gave Mr. HOWLETT a copy of "The Fertile Rock - Seasons in the Barren," by Carsten KRIEGER," for his interesting letter. Herman KELTER, Lynnfield, MA, wrote: "Your article 'Key to the Castle' was great and avidly read by me, since on my many visits to Co. Waterford it has featured in one way or another...." (Mr. KELTER remarked that Fred ASTAIRE's sister Adele lived in Lismore Castle as the wife of Lord Charles Arthur CAVENDISH, the 9th Duke of Devonshire).