SNIPPET: Readers of the Jan-Feb 2006 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine commented on the Emerald Isle: Tom O'CONNOR, Oro Valley, AZ, shared: "I couldn't resist writing to you after reading the July-Aug 2005 issue of IOTW. We have read it for many years and I was tempted to write several times before but never put pen to paper. We were visiting our cousins near Blarney last May and I told him we didn't care to go to Killarney on the main road. 'No bother,' he says, 'take the lane outside the door to the end and turn left, and then you'll be on The Butter Road.' I'd never heard of it before, even though we have been going to Ireland for nearly 50 years. We did as he told us and we had a wonderful trip to Killarney. There was hardly any traffic and such beautiful scenery on the way. The road got very narrow in places and you had to wait in a wide spot to let the oncoming cars pass. We love to drive the back roads and I think we have been on most of them and every pass and gap from Malin Head to Mizen Head over the past few years. We have many wonderful memories and I l! ook forward to going to Ireland again. In the meantime, keep up the good work and we can re-live these memories through your magazine." Sandra USHER, Costa Mesa, CA, wrote: "Being raised by Irish immigrants is the reason for our deep love for the beautiful bit of heaven called Ireland. As a family, our first trip to Ireland was in 1961 when we met our grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. In 1968, our parents took us all back to see if we'd like to live there. We were there for seven weeks and it was our dream to move to live there. As we prepared to see our house, pack and make a move, the troubles started in Belfast, which was where we intended to live, so alas we knew our dream was not to come true. My parents continued to travel home over the years and then in 2000, we all went there to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. They re-read their vows in the little church they were married in so many years before. Sadly, after we returned my mother was diagnosed with cancer and she died shortly afterwards. In June 2004, our family went back for my 50th birthday and my sister's Wedding Anniver! sary. My father was able to see a lot of his homeland and visit all the family and friends again during the first week of our trip. However, one night he wasn't feeling well and he decided not to come out with us but to stay at home with his sister. Sadly the next morning he passed away. He was able to be buried with his parents, and he had the most beautiful funeral, a simple Irish one, which he would never have had here in America. The old-fashioned traditions of Ireland are wonderful. My Dad was taken through his beloved Newtownards one more time, minus all the cars and people; much like it would have been when he was a young man. The people of his hometown were so helpful, tender and had true compassion for these two ladies who had just lost their father. I cannot tell you enough how overwhelmed we were by the compassion and unbelievable support we had laying my father to rest. It was very difficult for us to leave him in Ireland and return to America. But we k! now this was the plan for my Dad. He lived, loved and died in his beautiful Ireland. Earlier this year, my sister and I made our reservations to return with my mother's ashes to have her join her beloved husband. We are going to do this on their Wedding Anniversary, when they would have celebrated 55 years of marriage. Ireland has always been home to us and now there is another reason that draws us home. It has been the most moving experience and I am so proud of our Irish heritage." The editor replied - "What a poignant story - how fitting that both of your parents have returned to their homeland. May they rest in peace. For your letter, we are sending you a copy of "Northern Ireland: A Journey by Alf McCREARY."