SNIPPET: In the Jan-Feb 2002 issue of "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine published in Dublin, travelers shared their thoughts: Judy FERRARO, Maywood, NJ: "My husband surprised me on our wedding anniversary last year with a box full of travel books, maps of Ireland and a copy of your magazine. He promised he would take me back to my ancestors' homeland for our 25th anniversary. We spent an entire year planning our itinerary and were packed and ready to go when terror and sorrow struck our shores. The airports closed, our flights were cancelled, and after much thought, our plans were put on hold until further notice. We WILL reschedule our trip, as the events of September 11, 2001 will not dissuade our determination, and "Ireland of the Welcomes" will again become a vital reference tool in planning another itinerary. Thank you for such an informative and delightful look inside the people and places of Ireland. I feel I'm there, right here in New Jersey." The editor responded, "With so many links between our countries, we are all saddened by the events of September 11th." Carol and Grady O'DAY, Wisconsin Rapids, WI wrote: "Thank you for your recent article about 'Different Drums,' a group we became captivated with and which featured in your July-Aug 2001 issue. We heard them perform at the Irish Fest in Wisconsin in 2000. Since then, we have searched for a place to purchase their CD but came up empty-handed. 'Different Drums" were in Wisconsin again in 2001 and we had the good fortune of having a relative find their CD for us. They are an awesome group and you cannot help but to try and keep the beat when they play the Lambeg drums. We have never heard anyone like them before and to hear such an electrifying performance was a privilege. Thank you again for such an interesting article." Jane Finan MULLIN, Congers, NY shared: "Last year about this time, I began to research for my family's first trip to Ireland. Our son, Chris, who was then a senior in High School, wanted desperately to go to the land of his ancestors. Chris, a skilled bagpiper, had become quite a student of Irish history. We saw this as perhaps our last opportunity to travel with him as he was preparing to go off to college. Thanks to your magazine, I was able to access so many ideas for places to stay, or visit and contacts to make. One important place that I wanted to visit, was St. Finan's Bay, since my maiden name is FINAN, not a very common Irish name in the States. I had heard about St. Finan's Bay, knew it was somewhere in Co. Kerry, but had no idea how to find it. As you can imagine, I was delighted when I received my Mar-Apr 2001 copy of your magazine, to find St. Finan's Bay featured on the cover! I went out and bought several copies of the magazine, to send to my family. You certainly made my day. With tears in my eyes I stood at the shore of St. Finan's Bay and felt a deep and lasting connection to this very special spot in a very special place. Now I have pictures of the Bay, and my dear father's memory is honoured in those photographs. Not to be outdone, your next issue featured Prince August Factory, the concern that makes the 'Lord of the Rings' figures. Could this be true, we thought? Could there really be such a place? Chris is a major Tolkien fan and was waiting anxiously for the movie to come out (Dec 2001). Knowing that the factory was not on any tour map, we contacted the company which would be providing us with a driver, and lo and behold, they indeed were able to arrange for us to visit the factory. Thanks to your magazine, we were able to visit this extraordinary place, where we, and especially our son, who had a million questions, were treated with the incredible courtesy we came to recognise all over Ireland...." Stuart Quayle, Wellington, NZ wrote: "I married my lovely Irish Co. Clare-born wife in 1965 in Wellington, New Zealand. Seven years later, with our three children in tow, it was at last possible to meet my "in-laws," (father, sister and four brothers) and my wife's nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends dispersed around Ireland. Since then my wife and I have made another 12 visits to Ireland to enhance those wonderful relationships and take some time out to explore extensively in your diverse and scenic country. In 1974 we began subscribing to "Ireland of the Welcomes" and have been totally engrossed in successive issues with their rich tapestry of social, cultural, historical, artistic and romantic articles about Ireland and its vast tourist opportunities. Yes - Ireland is alive and well in distant New Zealand!" Stephen W. CASHEL, Billings, MT shared: "I have borrowed and read your magazine for several years, thanks to my friend Florence, in Montana. She has graciously given me a gift of my own subscription. As a result of reading the article about 'Johnny DORAN Last of the Traveling Pipers' by P. J. CURTIS in the July-Aug 2001 issue, I have just purchased a set of uilleann pipes and am teaching myself. I have played Scottish highland pipes for many years, and play many other instruments as well, and this will really round out my repertoire. Thanks for your great magazine."