SNIPPET: Readers of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine shared their impressions of the Emerald Isle in the March/April 2008 issue and sent along photos that were published in that issue: James W. GALLOWAY, Bowie, TX wrote: "St. Brendan's Cathedral in Loughrea, some twenty miles east of Galway Bay in the west of Ireland, is a modest structure enclosing glorious Celtic Revival stained glass windows and a beautiful series of Stations of the Cross. At the entrance to the Cathedral a lady graciously greeted my wife, Margaret and me. She said that her grandfather's funeral was to start in an hour or so, but to please enter and enjoy the artwork, that her grandfather so enjoyed the sanctuary of St. Brendan's and that he would be appreciative if others shared his joy. The sunlight was especially intense that day and caused the windows to sparkle and glow like an assemblage of fine jewels. In addition, a series of Stations of the Cross and other artwork about the sanctuary made for a stunning aesthetic experience. Our visit to this lovely place of worship inspired me to paint my own interpretive series of Stations of the Cross" - (which are shown in the "Afterthought" section of the magazine). "These hardedge acrylic works, each 12" x 15" are designed to express dynamic Holy Trinity associations in contemporary colours, shapes and perspectives. The awe-inspiring stained-glass windows undoubtedly influenced the design of each painting. I've added a fifteenth Station, as have others, to celebrate the Resurrection and I hope that the grandfather would be particularly pleased. The graceful ambience of St. Brendan's Cathedral and the kind Irish greeting that we received sustained me throughout the several years spent creating the series. In all our travels we've rarely sensed so much grace contained within a single occasion." Maureen McMANUS, High River, Alberta, Canada: "I have lost count of the humber of times I have shown my friends your article by Jo KERRIGAN, 'An Irishman's Home is his Castle,' about Cyril CULLEN, the fashion designer featured in your July/Aug 2006 issue. This is because I was fortunate enough to visit Farney Castle in May of last year, while staying with my cousin Carol LEWIS, in Templemore, Co. Tipperary. I had told Carol about the article and she arranged for us to go to the castle. We were welcomed by Cyril's wife, Margie, who showed us their knitwear and Parian porcelain shop, where I bought a porcelain china swan made by Cyril. Margie then took us all on an interesting tour of historic Farney Castle, where we stood in the guards' small, circular stone-walled room in the tower which dates back to 1495. My favourite room used by the CULLEN family is their drawing room with musical instruments on show. After the tour, in between the rain showers, Carol and I posed for a photograph on the front steps where we were joined by the CULLEN's dog Oscar, and a nearby peacock who also wanted to be included. Incidentally, the pink jacket which I wore that day was made by Avoca Handweavers, in Co. Wicklow. I bought it in a second-hand clothing shop in High River, Alberta, Canada. When my Irish mother married my English father, she named their house in Sussex, England 'Avoca,' but then that's another story ..." Luanne NELSON, Newaygo, MI shared: "The wonderful woman shown in this photograph greeted us at the Rock of Cashel each time that we stopped there during our stay in Ireland. We stayed at a B&B just up the street and enjoyed shopping at Rock House Stop & Shop several times, with the Bru Boru centre just next door, it was a great location. I wish I had gotten her name. Her ready smile and helpful nature made us feel so comfortable and welcome. She gave us wonderful ideas for gift selections, local places of interest, restaurants and things to do. Even though our trip was over two years ago now, I can still picture her behind the counter patiently answering our many questions about the area. What a joy she was -- to me, this friendly, generous woman epitomizes the best of Ireland, the reason I went and the reason I hope to return. We were well treated wherever we went, but her natural hospitality stands out far above the rest." (My note - The ancient Rock of Cashel ruins near Thurles, Co. Tipperary is, indeed, one of Ireland's great historic sites.) William James BEWDLEY, Ontario, Canada: "The Peterborough, Ontario area of Canada where I grew up was settled by a high ratio of people who came from all parts of Ireland in the 1800s. By reading the names of the villages and towns on an Ontario map, it is easy to see where many called home in the 'Old Country.' In my tours of Ireland there is always time to visit these 'home' towns and try to visualize the families as they moved out on their departure day into the great unknown on the other side of the Atlantic" ... (A suggestion) - "The type and layout changes made in your Sept-Oct 2007 issue was appreciated - the magazine comes across smoother in this format .... An interesting addition for each issue would be personal interest, non-political stories that date prior to a century ago. The viewpoint from people that were living the events of life at that time are much warmer than the viewpoint taken from a strictly historical one." (The editor replied, "Your suggestion for a 'One Hundred Years Ago' type of column is tempting.")