DONKEYS They are not silent like work-horses Who are happy or indifferent about the plow and wagon; Donkey's don't submit like that For they are sensitive And cry continually under their burdens; Yes, they are animals of sensibility Even if they aren't intelligent enough To count money or discuss religion. Laugh if you will when they hee-haw But know that they are crying When they make that noise that sounds like something Between a squawking water-pump and a fog-horn. And when I hear them sobbing I suddenly notice their sweet eyes and ridiculous ears And their naive bodies that look as though they never grew up But stayed children, as in fact they are; And being misunderstood as children often are They are forced to walk up mountains With men and bundles on their backs. Somehow I am glad That they do not submit without a protest; But as their masters are of the deafest The wails are never heard. I am sure that donkeys know what life should be But alas, they do not own their bodies; and if they had their own way, I am sure That they would sit in a field of flowers Kissing each other, and maybe They would even invite us to join them. For they never let us forget that they know (As everyone knows who stays as sweet as children) That there is a far better way to spend time; You can be sure of that when they stop in their tracks And honk and honk and honk. And if I tried to explain to them Why work is not only necessary but good, I am afraid that they would never understand And kick me with their back legs As commentary on my wisdom. So they remain unhappy and sob And their masters who are equally convinced of being right Beat them and hear nothing. -- "Donkeys" from "Stand Up, Friend With Me," by Edward Field, 1963. Edward Field was born in 1924 in NYC, contributed regularly to the "Evergreen Review." Donkeys have been an intregal part of Ireland.

SNIPPET: In the Nov-Dec 2001 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine is a several-page story by Paul MacCORMAIC with photographs by Peter GATHERCOLE about Rod TYE, originally from Coventry, his wife, Tanya, a Londoner, and their adopted home, the well-known beauty spot of Pontoon, Co. Mayo, where two great loughs, Cullen and Conn, meet through a narrow strip of water. The whole area is dominated by the great quartzite cone of Mount Nephin. With the help of a local builder, Tom HOLMES, the couple has rebuilt an old cottage using the same stones. It had been uninhabited since 1920 and built a hundred years before that. Tanya's yield from her garden includes red cabbage, broad beans, garlic, rocket and beetroot. Their sons romp around this, the TYE family's Mayo "paradise." Rod was a student at the Slade school of Fine Art in London and won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1985. This travel award gave him freedom to go to Italy to see the works of Michelangelo and Bernini for a year. The experience gave him a life-long respect for fine craftsmanship in any field. Later, he would become a lecturer at the Slade. Rod wanted to catch wild trout in wild places and he soon found himself on regular trips to the west of Ireland from England. Later, he and his wife decided that they wanted to bring up their children in peaceful Mayo rather than busy London. Gillie, a word of Scottish origin, means someone who is knowledgeable of the locality, especially fishing. Rod has the utmost respect for the local gillies - wizened old men with their weather-beaten faces - and now makes a living as a gillie himself. His fishing flies are little works of art and are sold for use on water or as framed decorative pieces. Rod's great passion is fly-fishing. Fly-fishing is lightweight, and active, and the artificial fly is handmade in a tradition which dates back 200 years. He became fascinated with traditional Irish fly patterns - objects of beauty with rich colours and subtle shading. A prized possession is his 30-year-old wooden boat which requires some upkeep in the off season. Part of his studio in his home is devoted to copper plate etching. Monochrome etchings are hand-tinted with watercolours. Rod has put together series of prints of the fauna of County Mayo, which includes pine martens and wild goats, and his watercolours of wild trout of the nearby waters are quite beautiful. Another of his talents is sculpting. His commissioned work can be seen in the London Barbican and at Birmingham Convention Centre and a head of a greyhound rests on a rock outside their front door.

THE HAUNTED INN My memory's a haunted inn Where ghosts foregather night and day, For arguments I didn't win And clever things I failed to say. I tell them tales; I tell them news; They share my jokes; they share my fears; I have important interviews With friends who have been dead for years. I keep the inn 'til closing time And then we all part company. To get back home they have to climb The mountains of Eternity. There is one thing that could go wrong, Some night they may take me along. -- Warren O'CONNELL "Extended Wings 4, " Rathmines Writers (Swan Press 1998)

SNIPPET: In the book mentioned below, there is a panoramic view of the Catholic middle class - a social stratum that has until now received little attention. In 1802, Daniel O'CONNELL, the Co. Kerry barrister who became known as the "liberator" for his work toward Catholic emancipation, secretly married a distant cousin, Mary O'CONNELL of Tralee. By doing so he jeopardized his inheritance, but forged a bond that would last until Mary's death in 1836. In 1998, "The World of Mary O'Connell 1778-1836," by Erin I. BISHOP was published. This biography of Mary O'CONNELL examines letters between the two as well as other family correspondence to provide a fascinating study of social and domestic life in early 19th century Ireland -- dealing with love, marriage, motherhood, family, sickness and health and religion. Mary is viewed in her own right, as a person and as a woman, rather than with the usual view of how Daniel O'CONNELL perceived her or how she affected his life. Her story helps to fill a gap in the history of women in Ireland. Perhaps you can locate a copy if the subject interests you.

THE BUS Grown old I know the angel with the sword is coming. Feeling again the fear I felt in childhood I seek a child's escape. I take a bus and put my trust in engines Let their reverberations reassure me Feeling I'm safe as long as I'm in transit. So bowling through the spreading outer city I know the bounding confidence of buses Enjoy the rows of small neat normal houses The spates of shop-fronts brash and bright for business. Lorries and cars and bikes go streaming past Restore my sense of life my sense of living. But now I see a tree a field a mountain And know the journey can't go on forever The bus is parked along a rustic byway. I must get out and wait for the home journey And sitting on a bench and waiting, waiting, I hear the sound of footsteps in the distance And wonder if the angel is approaching. -- Warren O'Connell

SNIPPET: Hillsborough, Co. Down, is the setting for a love story which crossed class barriers, was inextricably linked to a world-famous song and marked by a bizarre coincidence. The area's early contact was with the war drums of the EARL OF ESSEX who had been sent by QUEEN ELIZABETH I to curb the doings of the boisterous O'NEILL clan. In 1573, ESSEX was joined by one Moyses HILL whose family had owned large tracts of land in Devon. General HILL was knighted in 1603 and given some of Ireland's most productive land. Thus commenced the plantation of the HILLs, and by a series of arranged, advantageous marriages, it is estimated that by 1845, the HILLs owned some 120,000 acres in estates in Down, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Kildare and Antrim. The HILL family's seat was Hillsborough Castle, some 75,000 acres in the parish of Kilwarlin. Many grand houses in Ireland were sited in large wooded estates far from the centres of population, but Hillsborough Castle, which was built in the 1790s, is almost on the main street and, as such, as a statement of the HILL family's aim to identify with people among whom they lived. Moyses HILL married the sister of Sorley Boye MacDONNELL, while his son married Sorley Boye's daughter, although there were "anti-fraternisation laws" of the time. Successive generations spent much of their money on improving the lot of their tenants. The family is still held in high esteem in the area although they no longer live there. At the height of the Great Famine of the 1840s, the HILLs spent 20,000 pounds alleviating the misery of the local people, and the Marquis said, "I will stand by the people and attend to their wants, even should I be obliged to mortgage my last acre for that purpose." While the HILLs bridged class barriers they objected to the romance between Miss Annie Fortescue HARRISON (1870), the talented, accomplished musician daughter of a Sussex MP, who came to Hillsborough Castle. Lord Arthur HILL and Miss HARRISON (1851-1944) fell in love but the family objected to their second son marrying a penniless, landless commoner. Annie was popular in the village, played the organ in the parish church and ministered to the needs of the poorer people in the parish. Lord Arthur was intent on marrying her but Annie did not want to be the cause of a rift in the family and fled to England. Arthur searched, was unable to find her and married another Annie - Annie Nisida Denham COOKES, but just a year after their wedding she died (1874) and is commemorated in a stained-glass window in the Wakehurst chapel of Ardingley parish church in Sussex. Some time later at a London concert Arthur HILL heard for the first time the plaintive song of parted lovers, "In the Gloaming" - found it had been composed by his lost love! The two were reunited and the HILL family finally gave the couple their blessing and Lord and Lady HILL took up residence in Hillsborough Castle, their marriage lasted 50 years until Lord Arthur's death in 1931. Lady HILL survived him by 14 years. She wrote operettas and her small C. P. ENGLAND organ, dating from 1795, was presented to the parish church of St. Malachi when the HILLs left the area in 1924 and is still played during church services. The church dates from 1636, and the east window with its depiction of angels with wings under their chins is the design of Sir Joshua REYNOLDS. Hillsborough Castle was purchased by the state in 1924 and the castle and grounds are open to the public on Saturdays. IN THE GLOAMING In the gloaming, oh my darling When the lights are soft and low And the quiet shadows, falling, Softly come and softly go When the trees are sobbing faintly With a gentle unknown woe Will you think of me and love me, As you did once, long ago In the gloaming, oh my darling Think not bitterly of me Though I passed away in silence Left you lonely, set you free For my heart was tossed with longing What had been could never be It was best to leave you thus, dear, Best for you, and best for me In the gloaming, oh my darling When the lights are soft and low Will you think of me, and love me As you did once long ago.

SNIPPET: Readers shared their thoughts on Ireland in the July-August 2003 issue of "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine: Theresa WATERMAN, Arcadia, FL, penned: "I have been receiving IOTW for three years now and have learned so much about Ireland. I have always wanted to go to Ireland and so did my mother. Unfortunately she never made it to Ireland ... My two sisters and I have a reunion every year, at one of our homes, as we all live in different parts of the United States. In memory of our mother, we decided to go to Ireland last summer and it was a wonderful experience .... In your Nov-Dec 2002 issue there was a letter from a lady in Australia, whose name was Ellen DOYLE, which was my Grandmother's married name. I would like very much to find my ancestry. My Grandmother was a SULLIVAN, who was adopted by the MELLONs of NY, and my Grandfather DOYLE was born on a ship coming from Ireland. Thank you so much for a beautiful magazine and for giving me the opportunity to learn so much about Ireland." Tony STRABAC, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada shared: "During the summer of 2001, my wife, two sons and I went to your wonderful land. Ten year earlier my wife and I became entranced with Ireland, after a four-week visit, in which we drove over 1,800 miles to see every nook and cranny possible. From the first night at Durty Nelly's pub, in Bunratty, Co. Clare, to the wonders and smells of turf in Connemara, it was a fantastic trip. My wife's ancestral blood was stirred beyond belief, and although I do not have a drop of Celtic blood in me, I, too, was forever changed. Ten years later, our two young sons sojourned back to this magical land where we got engaged (in Cork). Like us, our young lads were also smitten by the beauty of the Emerald Isle and the love of life shared by the Irish people. My eldest son and I climbed Croagh Patrick together, and although itwas raining, it was a bonding experience that will stay with us forever. I want to thank you, IOTW, for always bringing these magical memories to mind. Congratulations on a superb magazine and a wondrous land and people." Mike and Shirley SHANAHAN, Ventura, CA, wrote: "I have just finished reading your Jan-Feb 2003 issue and couldn't help but reflect on the many holidays that we have enjoyed since our very first journey to Ireland in the summer of 1975. Shirley and I have made many stops in Ireland; we have had two house exchanges, one for three months and one for four weeks. We have many friends, extended family members whom we visit and who visit us here in CA. Since 1975, we have tried to get to Ireland, our second home, every other year. After or during each visit, I am moved to write some poetry that reflects your great country and all the beauty that we have experienced. During the summer of 1999, we visited the Skelligs, and although it was a bit of a scare on the ferryboat, we made it and it turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of our many visits to Ireland. ".... The souls of the Monks rest easy/High on the cliff where Puffins roam/The leeward breezes sing windless songs/Nurturing the delicate balance of today and forever." (Skellig, Ireland, written in 1999). Mary BURR, Blooming Prairie, MN shared: "Last October I took a trip to Ireland with my best friend. This was a dream come true. However, I think I aged a few years with my first experience of driving in Ireland. You do have such narrow roads, and we found the roundabouts quite a challenge, but we were up to the challenge. Before long, we were driving all over and enjoying the magnificent views. We first stayed in a charming B&B in Doolin, Co. Clare, where our host was delightful. We then drove on to Tuam, Co. Galway, where I have a ggg uncle who was an Archbishop of Tuam; so we were able to visit the Cathedral where he was buried. His name is John MacEVILLY. We were also able to visit the Archbishop's residence, where there are beautiful oil portraits of the previous archbishops. The next three days were spent in Dingle, Co. Kerry, which was my favourite place. We visited castles which were exciting and towns of all sizes. Everywhere we visited, we found the people absolutely charming and very helpful. I was expecting beauty beyond measure, and this trip far exceeded my expectations. The shopping was wonderful and I was so happy to add to my Belleek collection. I am already looking forward to my next trip. Ireland truly is a bit of heaven. I look forward to each edition of your terrific magazine. I'm already making a list of everywhere I want to visit. I truly thank all the lovely Irishmen and women who were so warm and welcoming." Madeline S. ATKINS, Port Washington, NY, commented: "You revived many lovely memories in me, as I read the article by Leslie GILMORE about the composer Annie HARRISON and her famous song, 'In the Gloaming' in your Jan-Feb 2003 issue. Your readers may be aware also that this song became associated with the Scottish-American diva, Mary GARDEN; she sang it to a misty-eyed audience, as she brought her operatic career to an end. .... I used this song many times in high school general music classes, when I taught in the NYC school system in the late 1950s .... As the comedian Bob HOPE used to say, thanks for the memory!"

SNIPPET: Patrick CAHILL from County Galway arrived at the coastal port of Maryborough after a journey through the Torres Strait and south along the Queensland, Australian coast. No doubt because free or assisted passages were available to the agrarian workers so badly required in the colony, Patrick had given his occupation as a farm laborer. After several years as a stockman, he applied to join the police force in 1894. Three years later he was serving in Longreach, Western Queensland, when he drowned while endeavoring to rescue a stranded family when the Thompson River flooded. His grave was discovered in Australia in 1989 by a retired Garda sergeant and former curator of the Garda Museum in Dublin who was intrigued to find a young Irish constable from the Mitchell District buried in a remote area in the outback; he subsequently was able to piece together the story of CAHILL's life and it was published in the February 1998 edition of the journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland, copies of which may still be available for four pounds from the Society at POB 12057, Elizabeth Street, Brisbane 4002, Queensland, Australia. By 1860 over 44% of the police force in the colony of Victoria, then at the peak of the gold fever, were Irish born. From the early 1860s, in the last of the Australian colonies to be declared, Queensland attracted large numbers of Irish, especially during the two decades of the 1860s and the 1880s. As in the southern districts, large numbers became associated with various branches of law enforcement throughout the enormous area of this NE colony which covered 22.5 percent of Australia. A portion of CAHILL's story and photo of his memorial appeared in the 1998 #1 issue of "Irish Roots" periodical, Belgrave Publishers, Cork, and the original photo is also located in the Queensland Police Museum. A "Google" search of the Internet will likely turn up related information.

Jean, Thanks again - I will check with Paul. Roger ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean R." <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 4:33 PM Subject: Re: [IGW] Northern Ireland resources > Hi Roger, Perhaps professional genealogist Irishman Paul GORRY would be > the > one for you; if not, he could recommend a colleague. GORRY is a > well-respected professional genealogist and lecturer who has been in great > demand for years. Try "googling" his name. Jean > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Roger" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 1:14 PM > Subject: Re: [IGW] Northern Ireland resources > > >> Jean, >> >> Thank you for the resource information. I had the Ulster Historical >> Foundation pursue some genealogy work for me without much success, so not >> sure if there are private research genealogists that would get further on >> Down County Adams and McBride families. But the leads that you provided >> will be helpful as I refocus on where to go from here. Thanks again >> Jean. >> >> Roger >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Jean R." <[email protected]> >> To: <[email protected]> >> Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 1:13 PM >> Subject: Re: [IGW] Northern Ireland resources >> >> >>> Hi Roger, are you interested in a particular county? The book "Tracing >>> Your >>> Irish Ancestors," by Irishman John Grenham has a reader-friendly chapter >>> on >>> each and every country in Ireland, explanation of all record types, >>> books, >>> journals, where to find them. <snip> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Jean, Thank you for the resource information. I had the Ulster Historical Foundation pursue some genealogy work for me without much success, so not sure if there are private research genealogists that would get further on Down County Adams and McBride families. But the leads that you provided will be helpful as I refocus on where to go from here. Thanks again Jean. Roger ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean R." <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 1:13 PM Subject: Re: [IGW] Northern Ireland resources > Hi Roger, are you interested in a particular county? The book "Tracing > Your > Irish Ancestors," by Irishman John Grenham has a reader-friendly chapter > on > each and every country in Ireland, explanation of all record types, books, > journals, where to find them. Try "googling" his name or title of the > book > and see if he has some info. from his book on a website or on CD. > > Civil Records/State registrations of non-Catholic marriages began in > Ireland > in 1845. All births, deaths and marriages have been registered in Ireland > since 1864. > > Trade Directories: > For example Provincial/Trade directories with data on Belfast from > 1819-1894 > include those by Thomas Bradshaw; J. Pigot; Pigot and Co.; William Matier; > Matthew Martin (w/street addresses); Slater's (several between1846-1894) > James A. > Henderson; Hugh Adair; R. Wynne; 'Derry Almanac' (Portrush only) 1881; G. > H. > Bassett. You can check out location of repositories for same and perhaps > the LDS FHC (Mormon) has microfilmed/microfiched copies of same. > > The single most important newspaper for Belfast and Ulster was the > "Belfast > Newsletter" which began publication in 1737. It had a wider geographical > range than any of the Dublin papers, covering virtually all of east > Ulster. > Outside Belfast the most significant publications were the "Londonderry > Journal," from 1772, which also covered a good deal of Donegal and Tyrone > (and some news from other major Irish cities, including Belfast). The > "Londonderry Journal" was published by George DOUGLAS and various partners > beginning with issue #1, June 3, 1772, published semi-weekly through May > 1, > 1781, and weekly thereafter. Perhaps you can locate a copy of Donald > M.SCHLEGEL's book, "Irish Genealogical Abstracts from the Londonderry > Journal 1772-1784," published a few years ago. With an every-name index, > this book is fascinating reading. > > Few, if any,early issues of the "Newry Journal and Strabane Journal" > exist. > The best single repository for Irish newspapers is the British Library. > After 1826 the Library was obliged to hold a copy of all Irish > publications, > and from that date its collection is virtually complete. It also has > extensive, though patchy, collection before that date. Within Ireland the > largest collection is held by the National Library, though by no means > comprehensive, and some unique copies are held in local libraries and > other > repositories. The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) > Belfast > has published a complete guide, "Northern Ireland Newspapers Checklist > with > Locations." > > A number of indices do exist in various repositories to biographical > material found in Irish newspapers. Unfortunately, the index to material > in > the 'Belfast Newsletter" (1737-1800), held by the Linen Hall Library in > Belfast, is in chronological order rather than alphabetical order. > > Several websites have transcriptions from old newspapers including the > delightful: > Cathy Joynt Labath > Ireland Old News > http://www.IrelandOldNews.com/ > > D. J. Owen wrote, "History of Belfast," pub. in Belfast in 1921 a copy of > which is in the National Library of Dublin. Robert M Young's books are > "Historical Notices of Old Belfast and its Vicinity," pub. 1896, and "The > Town Book of the Corporation of Belfast, 1613-1816," pub. 1892. > > Text from many old books is being put on the web. Google Print announced > its first release of "public domain" non-copyright material, through its > partnership with numerous libraries with wealth of interesting books. The > full text is searchable - Books related to particular surnames and local > histories. Because of the copyright protection issue, most of the books > are > a bit on the old side, which for genealogists, is > great. > > http://print.google.com/ > > Also FHL Books Online at BYU > You can go to the Brigham Young University website > http://www.lib.byu.edu/ > task; books out of copyright are being done first. > > Check out some of these websites: > www.familysearch.org > www.cyndislist.com/ > > Not sure if the Andrew J. Morris website is still viable, but you can > google > his name (advanced search/phrase) and see if his transcriptions/services > are > still offered. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Roger" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 9:10 AM > Subject: Re: [IGW] Northern Ireland resources > > >> Jean and others, >> >> I understand that this may or may not be the list for genealogy resources >> for northern ireland, I would like to know what the best resource might >> be >> beyond the Ulster Historical Foundation. Thanks >> >> Roger >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Jean R." <[email protected]> >> To: <[email protected]> >> Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 11:07 PM >> Subject: Re: [IGW] National Archives Ireland website -- RESOURCES: >> ExpandedList -- >> Cyndi'sList/NationalSchoolRecords/Pensions/Griffith's/CommonwealthWW-I >> &IIDeaths/Valuation Office >> >> >>> National Archives Ireland >>> www.nationalarchives.ie >>> >>> You can also do a google advanced search with the "phrase" National >>> Archives >>> Ireland and it will bring it right up. Have you figured out how to do >>> an >>> advanced search? It has several features to help cut down on "hits." >>> Look >>> to the right of the Google box and click on "Go," then click on >>> "advanced >>> search." Let me know if you have any questions. >>> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi Roger, Perhaps professional genealogist Irishman Paul GORRY would be the one for you; if not, he could recommend a colleague. GORRY is a well-respected professional genealogist and lecturer who has been in great demand for years. Try "googling" his name. Jean ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roger" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 1:14 PM Subject: Re: [IGW] Northern Ireland resources > Jean, > > Thank you for the resource information. I had the Ulster Historical > Foundation pursue some genealogy work for me without much success, so not > sure if there are private research genealogists that would get further on > Down County Adams and McBride families. But the leads that you provided > will be helpful as I refocus on where to go from here. Thanks again Jean. > > Roger > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jean R." <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 1:13 PM > Subject: Re: [IGW] Northern Ireland resources > > >> Hi Roger, are you interested in a particular county? The book "Tracing >> Your >> Irish Ancestors," by Irishman John Grenham has a reader-friendly chapter >> on >> each and every country in Ireland, explanation of all record types, >> books, >> journals, where to find them. <snip>

SNIPPET: Over the course of five months in 1916, some 27,000 cases of polio and 6,000 related deaths were reported in 26 states in the U. S. The mortality rate of polio victims in New York City was roughly one child in four. In the summer, public panic about the spread of polio reached a new high, and officials, partially reinforcing and partially responding to a fear of dirt, germs, and immigrants, began to use quarantine to try to control the spread of the disease. In Paterson, New Jersey, no "nonresidents" were allowed into the town, and cities all along the eastern seaboard issued letters like the following: U. S. Public Health Service, Baltimore, MD, .......1916: This card is furnished for the aid of interstate travelers. It should be retained and shown upon demand to proper authorities. To whom it may concern: This certifies that.......from......traveling to......with.......children under 16 years of age has presented a satisfactory health certificate from the health authorities at point of departure that his premises are free from poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis). The children accompanying traveler have been inspected and show no evidence of that disease. (Signed) RUPERT BLUE, Surgeon General, U. S. Public Health Service. By.........

INISGALLUN The winds are roaring out of the West Where the clouds are in stormy saffron drest, And the curlew and wild-geese are calling and crying Over the straits in Inisgallun, The heron and cormorant wailing and sighing. Mingling a wild and an endless tune. The winds are roaring out of the West Over the waters of strife and unrest, The shrieking rain in the low pools falling, The strong waves beating a ceaseless rune, And the heron and curlew and wild-geese calling, Vainly lamenting in Inisgullun. The froth and fume of the maddened sea Spit thro' the torn air ceaselessly; And the dark low bog in anguish crying, And the heather wailing in bitter pain; For the winds from out of the West are flying And the Earth will never find peace again. -- Darrell Figgis (1882-1925)

BIO: John TODHUNTER (1839-1916) was an Irish poet and playwright who wrote seven volumes of poetry, and several plays. He was born in Dublin, the eldest son of Thomas Harvey TODHUNTER, a Quaker merchant of English origin. He and was educated at Quaker schools in York and Mountmellick and attended Trinity College Medical School, where he studied medicine. While at Trinity, TODHUNTER won the Vice-Chancellor's prize for English Verse 1864, 1865 and 1866, and the Gold Medal of the Philosophical Society 1866 for an essay. He also clerked for William STOKES while studying. He received his Bachelor of Medicine in 1867, and his Doctorate of Medicine degree in 1871. In 1870 (one year prior to his DM) he became a Professor of English Literature at Alexandra College, Dublin. Four years later, he resigned from that position, and travelled to several places in Europe, including Egypt. He married Dora L. DIGBY in 1879. In 1881, he finally settled in London, where his home in Bedford Park, Chiswick was located in a small community of writers and artists, who included W. B. YEATS. He was involved in the founding of the Irish Literary Society there. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean R." <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2007 11:14 PM Subject: [IGW] "Wind Song" - John TODHUNTER > WIND SONG > > Bring from the craggy haunts of birch and pine > Thou wild wind, bring, > Keen forest odours from that realm of thine, > Upon thy wing! > > O wind, O mighty, melancholy wind, > Blow through me, blow! > Thou blowest forgotten things into my mind > From long ago. > > -- John Todhunter >

WIND SONG Bring from the craggy haunts of birch and pine Thou wild wind, bring, Keen forest odours from that realm of thine, Upon thy wing! O wind, O mighty, melancholy wind, Blow through me, blow! Thou blowest forgotten things into my mind >From long ago. -- John Todhunter

SNIPPET: Victorian traveler to Ireland from England, Richard LOVETT, kept a journal that was first published in 1888 by the Religious Tract Society. "The easiest and the favourite excursion from Cork is to Blarney Castle, a spot which amply deserves the reputation it has acquired, although that reputation rests mainly upon the features of the place least worthy to sustain it. Multitudes know of or wish to touch the Blarney Stone, who are not so deeply impressed either by the picturesque splendour of the old ruin, or the exceeding beauty of its situation and surroundings. The castle stands upon a hillside which slopes steeply down to the River Blarney, a stream which winds through a lovely, and well-wooded valley. Hard by is the neat little town, in which are several mills engaged in the manufacture of tweed. The castle dates from the fifteenth century, and was founded by Cormac MacCARTHY, who also founded the abbey and castle of Kilcrea, in the former of which he is buried. The castle and estates were forfeited in 1689, the last of the original owners being allowed a pension of 300 pounds. Seen across the river by the approach from the town, the lofty grey mass of the huge quadrangular keep towering above the foliage of the trees, the castle presents a very imposing appearance. The real Blarney Stone was one containing the inscription 'Cormac Mac Carthy fortis me fieri fecit A. D.' The situation of the stone has shown a tendency to vary according to the predilections of the guides. But that now exhibited is the lowermost of those clasped between the iron bars, as shown in an engraving. Whatever the origin of the tradition, and of the custom of kissing the Blarney Stone, the reputation it has acquired of recent years has been due largely to Father PROUT's verses. 'There is a stone there/That whoever kisses/Oh! he never misses/To grow eloquent/'Tis he may clamber/To a lady's chamber/Or become member/Of Parliament/A clever spouter/He'll sure turn out, or/An out and outer/'To be let alone'/Don't hope to hinder him/Or to bewilder him/Sure he's a pilgrim/From the Blarney Stone/The groves of Blarney/They look so charming/Down by the purlings/Of sweet silent brooks/All decked by posies/That spontaneous grow there/Planted in order/In the rocky nooks/'Tis there the daisy/And the sweet carnation/The blooming pink/And the rose so fair/Likewise the lily/And the daffadowndilly/All flowers that scent/The sweet open air.' But rich as this whole district is in pretty scenery and interesting sites, we cannot extend our consideration of them. Only a passing mention can be made of the western part of County Cork. Those who can make time and opportunity should certainly visit Kinsale, Bandon, Clonakilty, Dunmanway and Skibbereen."

HOME A burst of sudden wings at dawn, Faint voices in a dreamy noon, Evenings of mist and murmurings, And night with rainbows of the moon. And through these things a wood-way dim, And waters dim, and slow sheep seen On uphill paths that wind away Through summer sounds and harvest green. This is a song a robin sang This morning on a broken tree, It was about the little fields That call across the world to me. -- Francis Ledwidge (1891-1917) from Co. Meath, killed in the First World War and commemorated every year by the Inchicore Ledwidge Society.

TO A LINNET IN A CAGE When Spring is in the fields that stained your wing, And the blue distance is alive with song, And finny quiets of the gabbing spring Rock lilies red and long. At dewy daybreak, I will set you free In ferny turnings of the woodbine lane, Where faint-voiced echoes leave and cross in glee The hilly swollen plain. In draughty houses you forget your tune, The modulator of the changing hours, You want the wide air of the moody noon, And the slanting evening showers. So I will loose you, and your song shall fall When morn is white upon the dewy pane, Across my eyelids, and my soul recall >From worlds of sleeping pain. -- Francis LEDWIDGE

SNIPPET: In the Mar-Apr 2007 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine, readers shared their thoughts on their trips to Ireland: Elizabeth Y. CANIK, Abita Springs, LA: ... "What remains vivid in our memory are the beautiful rich autumn colours of the turning foliage, in contrast to the very still-green lawns and hillsides. The temperature was pleasant and not too cold - you really have the best of both worlds. We tell everyone we know who is planning a trip to Ireland not to overlook the autumn season as this was our favourite and most colourful family holiday." Jane KILLEEN, Lynnfield, MA: "This is a long-overdue letter so that I might share my own personal 'Irish Memory' and to tell you that I find your magazine to be a very special treat. As a subscriber for the past six years, I've learned so much about its people and its culture. I can only second all the many accolades your other readers have sent you. So when the movie about 9/11 ('The World Trade Center') was released in 2006, it finally motivated me to send you my letter. I had visited Ireland once before and this was my second trip, although it was the very first trip for my long-time childhood friend (who had never even travelled outside of the U.S. before) ....We flew into Shannon, stayed in the Cork area and visited lovely Kinsale, Kenmare, the Beara Peninsula and Garinish Island; we then moved on to Killarney, where, on a previous visit, I'd played golf at my my family's namesake course, 'Killeen's' and wouldn't you know I even got a par - thus, turning me into a firm believer in the Luck of the Irish. Our next stop was the Dingle Peninsula - this was one of my favourites .... Each area is so beautiful and so different, very unspoilt and natural. Our last stop was in the gorgeous Connemara area, for an indulgent stay at the Cashel House Hotel. As we pulled into the driveway of the hotel, little did we know what a momentous day had been unfolding; you see, we arrived on September 11, 2001. Driving all day, we had not heard of the terrible tragedy in NYC. I still remember how supportive and solicitous the Cashel House staff were to all their American guests... It took me a while to realise that many of the Irish, themselves, were also in pain, as so many had family and friends in the NYC/NJ area. One of the Cashel House waitresses had a brother who was a policeman or fireman in NYC, I never did learn if he survived, but certainly hope so. The shock of being away from one's country when it's under attack, worrying about family members (I have cousins in the NJ fire department, just across the river from NYC), as well as not knowing when it would be possible to return home, not to mention the minor detail of not having a place to stay beyond a certain date - all combined to make for a very worrisome situation. I soon realised that, if we had to be stranded overseas, thank heavens it was in Ireland: I will never forget the thoughtfulness of the staff of Cashel House Hotel. Later, we moved closer to Shannon as we wanted to be ready for any available seats on the next flights home, as soon as the U. S. border re-opened. Drumcreehy House in Ballyvaughan (where we had stayed a few nights earlier) was booked fully; however they were kind enough to secure sleeping accommodation for us at a neighbour's house. When we finally managed to get a flight out (to NJ), on a return flight home, a spontaneous cheer filled the plane as the pilot announced we had just entered U.S. airspace, only to be abruptly hushed when we skirted below NYC and could see the smoke rising in the distance, in deadly, silent spirals. What stays in my mind and heart is the wonderful, wonderful warmth and caring of the Irish people - it's one thing to read about it ... but an entirely different matter to experience it first-hand - my friend and I felt very fortunate." (For her letter, the editor sent her a copy of "Islands of Connaught" - paintings by Ros HARVEY and text by Wallace CLARK).

Thank you so much. Shirley ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean R." <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 10:07 PM Subject: Re: [IGW] National Archives Ireland website -- RESOURCES: ExpandedList -- Cyndi'sList/NationalSchoolRecords/Pensions/Griffith's/CommonwealthWW-I &IIDeaths/Valuation Office > National Archives Ireland > www.nationalarchives.ie > > You can also do a google advanced search with the "phrase" National Archives > Ireland and it will bring it right up. Have you figured out how to do an > advanced search? It has several features to help cut down on "hits." Look > to the right of the Google box and click on "Go," then click on "advanced > search." Let me know if you have any questions. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Shirley Martin" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 7:00 PM > Subject: Re: [IGW] RESOURCES: Expanded List -- <snip> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message