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)