FRENZY A small row-boat on Keel Lake, the water sluppering gently as he rowed, the easy sh-sh-sshhh of the reeds as we drifted in, and all about us tufts of bog-cotton like white moths, the breathing heathers, that green-easy lift into the slopes of Slievemore. All else the silence of islands, and the awe of small things wonderful: son father, on one keel, the ripples lazy and the surfaces of things unbroken. Then the prideful swish of his line fly-fishing, the curved rod graceful, till suddenly mayfly were everywhere, small water-coloured shapes like tissue, sweet as the host to trout and - by Jove! he whispered, old man astounded again at the frenzy that is in all living. -- John F. DEANE

RESOURCE: New Web Address (apparently) for "Irish Times" ancestor research. Check out surname search engine for Primary Valuation (1848-1864), more: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/ New Civil Parish data - Click on a county on the Ireland Interactive Map for more on CP's - discover, the ten most common surnames found in each civil parish at this "Irish Times" newspaper Browse Counties webpage: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/browse/counties/civilmaps/index.cfm

SNIPPET: Per the Jan-Feb 2009 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine: "It's the question of all of County Offaly, and indeed most of Ireland, is asking. When will President Barack OBAMA visit the home of his Irish ancestors? The wheels are already in motion. Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian COWEN, Offaly's leading son, didn't waste too much time after Senator OBAMA morphed into President-elect OBAMA. The invitation to visit Ireland was made in a pre-arranged phone call on November 18th. Mr. COWEN was in Thomond Park in Limerick at the time, having just formally opened the spanking new stadium there before watching Munster almost beat New Zealand's legendary All Blacks rugby team. President-elect OBAMA's third great-grandfather, Fulmouth KEARNEY and his family were members of the Church of Ireland in Moneygall, Co. Offaly - which happens to be in Mr. COWEN's Dail (parliament) constituency. Mr. KEARNEY, a shoemaker by trade, left Ireland in 1850 and settled in OH, where he took to farming. In 1960 his direct descendant, Ann DUNHAM, married a Kenyan student, Mr. OBAMA. Their son will be the 44th President of the United States. An Irish Government spokesperson said Mr. COWEN congratulated Mr. OBAMA on his election, and 'stressed the importance the Government attaches to Ireland's relationship with the United States.' The two men then talked about President-elect OBAMA's connections to Co. Offaly, and Mr. COWEN took the opportunity to update him on developments in Northern Ireland. In terms of Irish representation among the presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the U. S. election, we had all bets covered - all four of them have Irish roots!" Thoughts from Leitrim-born poetess Mary GUCKIAN, Dublin, who had attended a celebratory event in Ireland in honor of America's new President: President Obama - Your Dreams, Our Dreams Finished reading your book Dreams of My Father Born in America, African and Irish blood in your veins Part of your childhood lived in Indonesia, Your worldly background, Your Christianity, a gifted writer, your decision to work with the most vulnerable people in Chicago. Unselfishly, you studied law in the hope of helping to make the lives of these poor more bearable. Working your way to become American President in two thousand and nine, your intelligence flows, you draw us all together irrespective of colour, class or religion. Every person needs respect, a place to live, to grow, to study, health services, food. The environment need protection. We crave a better life, we need peace, yet cannot expect you to perform miracles, we must help you rid ourselves of racism. Protection for America's homeless, Education, more compassion for our "travellers," homes for displaced Africans. Equality for women in Muslim countries, dignity for people who have problems and commit crimes. Your leadership qualities will enoble us, help more countries become more democratic. I wish you safety, good health, strength to deal with sensitivities for the world that come across in your writing. So proud you share the blood of our ancestors, good luck to Michelle and your daughters. Your genes are our genes, your dreams, our dreams. Mary Guckian Dublin

SNIPPET: Readers of "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine published in Dublin made the following comments in the Jan-Feb 1999 issue: Michele & Barry ERDVIG, Roswell, GA, penned: "We first visited Ireland in 1973 and although we have travelled to many places around the world, your tiny island has enticed us back repeatedly -- 28 times so far. In between trips we indulge ourselves with the beautiful photographs and evocative articles presented in IOTW, to which we have subscribed for countless years. Over the decades we have seen many changes in Ireland and we rejoice that our favourite place in the world has now a booming economy, which allows her young people to remain in their homeland, avoiding the heartbreak of emigration. However we are nostalgic for the 'good old days' when we could travel roads resembling country lanes and only meet a herd of sheep or a milk cart drawn by a donkey. We remember when a B&B was 1.50 pounds and the Irish notes were too big to fit into our American wallets. The wonderful Irish breakfasts are still the same as are the hospitable hosts that prepare them. But one thing that we don't miss is waiting for our turn for the bathroom in the morning, only to find no hot water left! Once we could wander at will through Ireland's ancient monuments without paying an admittance fee, but today some of the new interpretive centres are worth their weight in gold. Thatched houses are disappearing from the landscape which only makes the ones remaining more dear. We will always remember with a smile the pirate radio stations and 'John the Man' broadcasting from above a butcher's shop in Limerick. So, although the old days may be gone, we still have our wonderful memories and vibrant impressions of 25 years travelling to Ireland." Tim O'SULLIVAN, Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry, wrote: "I notice that most of your letters published are from outside Ireland, so I have decided to change this trend. Friedhelm RATHJEN's article 'The Joys of Cycling with BECKETT in the Sept-Oct 1998 issue was interesting, and I always look forward to any articles on literary matters. The Special Irish Writers Issue of Sept-Oct 1996 was very welcome and I sent it to a friend in England. Now I am ordering a copy again for myself. I would like to see a regular feature on Irish writers in your magazine and places associated with them, especially on Mary LAVIN, whom I met years ago in East Cork. As I am a BRONTE fan, Bel BAILEY's interesting article on 'Charlotte's Honeymoon in Ireland' in the Sept-Oct issue of 1992 was sent to me by her personally. It would be interesting to see an articles on the places associated with Patrick BRONTE ... in your excellent magazine." (My note: Patrick BRUNTY, father of the literary BRONTE sisters, was born in Co. Down, Ireland.)

Here’s my research to date on the Donovan side of my tree.   GGgrandfather & GGgrandmother Michael Donovan and wife  Ellen Fitzpatrick   (Data from son’s civil war papers)Both born in Ireland. I can find nothing to prove Michael ever was in the USA.ANY help will be appreciatedLoring Hutchinson     @    Loringh@yahoo.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G grandfather and Ggrandmother John F. Donovan  b 1842 in Boston, Massachusetts Ellen Clooney  b Dec 02, 1844 in St John’s, Newfoundland John & Ellen married in Boston on June 24, 1867 John & Ellen had 5 children John C   b 7/30/1872 Mary  b   9/11/1868 Edward  b   4/30/1876 William  b   9/23/1879 Bertha   b   1872

AN ARGUMENT I've oft been told by learned friars, That wishing and the crime are one, And Heaven punishes desires As much as if the deed were done. If wishing damns us, you and I Are damned to all our heart's content; Come, then, at least we may enjoy Some pleasure for our punishment! -- Thomas MOORE

http://www.haverford.edu/engl/faculty/Sherman/Irish/Bboat http://home.freeuk.net/jochenlueg/historical/broightergold.htm

For those on the list with Scottish roots - I WILL MAKE YOU BROOCHES I will make you brooches and toys for your delight Of bird-song at morning and star-shine at night. I will make a palace fit for you and me, Of green days in forests and blue days at sea. I will make my kitchen, and you shall keep your room, Where white flows the river and bright blows the broom, And you shall wash your linen and keep your body white In rainfall at morning and dewfall at night. And this shall be for music when no one else is near, The fine song for singing, the rare song to hear! That only I remember, that only you admire, Of the broad road that stretches and the roadside fire. - Robert Louis Stevenson

I have just added to the Tipperary section of my website the Griffith Valuations for Aghacrew Civil Parish (South Riding) and Moyalif Civil Parish (North Riding). Anyone using the GV index, should be aware that for County Tipperary many of the parishes don't include surnames starting with A-L. The GV that are on my site include the full alphabet. The url to my site is under my name. -- Pat Connors, Sacramento CA http://www.connorsgenealogy.com

THROWING THE BEADS A mother at Shannon, waving to her son Setting out from North Kerry, flung A rosary beads out to the tarmac Suddenly as a lifebelt hurled from a pier. Don't forget to say your prayers in Boston. She saw the bright crucifix among skyscrapers, Shielding him from harm in streets out of serials, Comforting as a fat Irish cop in a gangster film Rattling his baton along a railing after dark. -- Sean Dunne (1956-95), from "Sheltered Nest."

Song For Ireland Walking all the day Near tall towers where falcons build their nests Silver-winged they fly They know the call of freedom in their breasts Saw Black Head against the sky Where twisted rocks they run to the sea Living on your western shore Saw summer sunsets, asked for more I stood by your Atlantic Sea And sang a song for Ireland Talking all the day With true friends who try to make you stay Telling jokes and news Singing songs to pass the time away Watched the Galway salmon run Like silver dancing, darting in the sun Living on your western shore Saw summer sunsets, asked for more I stood by your Atlantic Sea And sang a song for Ireland Drinking all the day In old pubs where fiddlers love to play Saw one touch the bow He played a reel which seemed so grand and gay Stood on Dingle Beach and cast In wild foam we found Atlantic bass Living on your western shore Saw summer sunsets, asked for more I stood by your Atlantic Sea And sang a song for Ireland Dreaming in the night I saw a land where no one had to fight Waking in your dawn I saw you crying in the morning light Sleeping where the falcons fly They twist and turn all in your air-blue sky Living on your western shore Saw summer sunsets, asked for more I stood by your Atlantic Sea And sang a song for Ireland -- The Colcloughs, an English couple, said to have composed the lyrics after a holiday in Ireland. Recorded by Mary Black, among others.

SNIPPET: Westerns were a staple of Irish cinemas when Liam NEESON was growing up in Ballymena, Co. Antrim, in the 1950s. Per Liam - "Didn't we all play cowboys and Indians back then? My idol was Audie Murphy, who was the most decorated U.S. soldier in World War II. He made dozens of westerns, mostly B-movies, and I saw most of them as a boy in Ireland. NEESON, standing six foot four, is one of the most adventurous and versatile thespians to come out of Ireland. His career includes such memorable movies as "Schindler's List" and "Michael Collins." Unlike some actors who seem to be playing minor variations on the same role throughout their careers, NEESON has firmly resisted being typecast. He has appeared in over sixty movies and in a remarkably diverse range of roles, to include a runaway Christian Brother, an underground filmmaker, an IRA gunman, a hillbilly Kentuckian, an ageing rocker, a mute vagrant, a boxer, a sculptor, and a ghost. He has portrayed real-life people from Oskar Schindler to Michael Collins to Alfred Kinsey, and Steven Spielberg has cast him in the leading role of a movie about Abraham Lincoln, to be filmed in 2009.

SNIPPET: During the Second World War the monsignor from Killarney (Kerry), Hugh O'FLAHERTY, saved thousands of Jews, civilians and Allied soldiers from the Nazi terror; he was awarded the United States Medal of Freedom; and Gregory PECK played his character in the 1983 TV movie, "The Scarlet and the Black." Based in Rome during the war, he became known as the Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican, who saved the lives of over 4,000 British and American soldiers and Jews from torture and death at the hands of the Gestapo in German-occupied Rome during WW-II, and did so without the knowledge of the Vatican. Somewhat belatedly, Monsignor O'FLAHERTY was recently honored by his native town for his exploits, in various ceremonies and addresses. The Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop LEANZA praised his "great qualities of leadership, ingenuity, passion and courage, physical and moral." The Monsignor ran what became known as The Organisation, hiding thousands in monasteries and convents, in the Papal residence at Castel Gandolfo, in the Propaganda Fide (Propagation of the Faith) college where he worked, and ironically in the German College. Monsignor O'FLAHERTY retired to Cahirciveen in Kerry in 1963, and died there three years later. -- Excerpt, Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine for Jan-Feb 2009.

Update: National Archives of Ireland 1911 Census Records http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie:80/ The 1901 and 1911 censuses are the only surviving full censuses of Ireland open to the public. Both censuses cover the island of Ireland. They were released to public inspection in 1961, because of the stream of requests for information about people's ages, particularly those born before civil registration of births began in 1864. The records for 1911 are being digitised first, then those for 1901. The 1911 census was taken on 2 April 1911. The 1911 Census records for DUBLIN, ANTRIM, DOWN and KERRY are now available on line for researching. Publication of the other counties will follow, in the order listed below, between now and mid-2009. More precise time scales will be posted when available. a.. Donegal b.. Cork c.. Wexford d.. Galway e.. King's County (Offaly) f.. Limerick g.. Mayo h.. Waterford i.. Armagh j.. Carlow k.. Cavan l.. Clare m.. Fermanagh n.. Kildare o.. Kilkenny p.. Leitrim q.. Londonderry (Derry) r.. Longford s.. Louth t.. Meath u.. Monaghan v.. Queen's County (Laois) w.. Roscommon x.. Sligo y.. Tipperary z.. Tyrone aa.. Westmeath ab.. Wicklow

SNIPPET: Per the Jan-Feb 2009 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine, Ireland was the first country in the world to introduce gun licences - and Daniel O'CONNELL shot a man dead in a row over Dublin Corporation, the civic authority in charge of the city. These are two aspects of the "Blaze Away" exhibition, subtitled duelling, gunmakers and swordmakers in the 19th century Ireland, now running in the Collins Barracks adjunct of the National Museum of Dublin. The Liberator, as (Kerry's) Dan O'CONNELL was known, criticised Dublin Corporation for its neglect of Catholics, and John D'ESTERRE, a member of the Corporation, wrote to O'CONNELL demanding an apology. When he refused, this led to a duel. A large group was present at Bishopscourt in County Kildare on February 2nd 1815 for the occasion. D'ESTERRE fired first and missed. When O'CONNELL fired he hit D'ESTERRE and he died the following day. Perhaps the most bloodthirsty duellist was George Robert "Fighting" FITZGERALD, born in the late 1740's in County Mayo. He fought 12 duels, and was described at the time as having "an implacable, revengeful and sanguinary nature." He was 38 when he was sentenced to death for murder and hanged. Of 306 Irish duels fought between 1771 and 1790, there were 65 instant deaths and 16 mortal wounds, while less than a hundred ended without injury." www.museum.ie

THE PITCHFORK Of all implements, the pitchfork was the one That came near to an imagined perfection: When he tightened his raised hand and aimed with it, It felt like a javelin, accurate and light. So whether he played the warrior or the athlete Or worked in earnest in the chaff and sweat, He loved its grain of tapering, dark-flecked ash Grown satiny from its own natural polish. Riveted steel, turned timber, burnish, grain, Smoothness, straightness, roundness, length and sheen. Sweat-cured, sharpened, balanced, tested, fitted. The springiness, the clip and dart of it. And then when he thought of probes that reached the farthest, He would see the shaft of a pitchfork sailing past Evenly, imperturbably through space, Its prongs starlit and absolutely soundless -- But has learned at last to follow that simple lead Past its own aim, out to an other side Where perfection - or nearness to it - is imagined Not in the aiming but the opening hand. -- Seamus Heaney, born 1939, Mossbawn, Co. Derry

SNIPPET: Per the late Susan FLYNN (nee NESDALE), living in Ireland in her early years was different than it is today. There were large families and people lived on food they produced on their own farms -- "Every Christmas a big pig was killed. The ham was cured separately and was boiled for Christmas dinner. A turkey was roasted in a big oven alongside the hearth fire with coals heating the lid... What a pleasure to sit down to your Christmas dinner and taste the flavour of that delicious bird along with your own home-grown vegetables. Our church was over two miles away and all the neighbours, old and young, would assemble together on Christmas morning. The older people had lighted lanterns. With the frost and snow thick on the ground, we liked to start long before daylight. Over the road we joined with several more families. It is a memory I will never forget with such a pleasant atmosphere as we all made our way to our church to worship. There was such craic on the way home as we started snowballing. You had to give as much as you got. Some took offence, and then the fat was in the fire. After Christmas the young fellows would go out to bury the wren and collect plenty of money on Stephen's Day. A meeting was held to choose a house for the spree. All the neighbours from miles round were invited and the music would light your heart. We often danced to four violins playing together for the twelve days of Christmas. It was such a pleasure living in Ireland in those days. Old people got such respect and the door never had to be locked at night. My father was a great man for plenty of crop. It took several days to harvest our oats. Remember that it was a hook and a scythe that was used then. It took several days to bring home the oats on the horse and cart. You had to be very careful building the oats on the cart because if the sides were not even the cart could very easily overturn. I was witness to a few such upsets. It such an emergency we all had to lie on the horse's neck while my brothers with skilled hands and practice would release every strap. The oats were then removed from the cart. The cart was very quietly pushed off the animal. Up he would jump and not a bone would be broken ... My father and brothers were violin players who loved music and Dad took great delight in passing on the tradition by giving lessons to eager youngsters. Our home was a home of music and games, but there was plenty of hard work too. All the local boys would come to practice football in our meadow. We had a great football team in the our immediate area. My father was the referee, and he was a strict one. He stood for no nonsense and demanded the best of every player. The match that was played on the Sunday would later be replayed at our fireside. It gave him great pleasure to hear of our team's huge feat in achieving victory. Our footballers were greatly skilled and always played it clean. They were a joy to watch ... Unfortunately employment was very scarce in Leitrim at the time and as a result several of those fine young men were forced to emigrate and were lost to future Leitrim teams ... I retained a lifetime love of Gaelic football and I enjoy nothing more than following the games every Sunday on the radio and television. The Leitrim team's performance against Roscommon this year was wonderful and one that will be remembered for a long time. They were a credit to the county. Well done to the manager, Declan ROWLEY on how well he had them prepared ... The war years were difficult times. Many items were scarce. We often had to seek out the black market. A tyre for a push bike used to be about 3/6 in old money. It rocketed to one pound but we had no option but to buy it. Otherwise you would have to stay at home from dances, which were miles away. The dance halls were a great source of pleasure. Young people travelled from miles around for those dances. I met my own beloved at one such dance ... One thing you had to know how to do in our time was know how to dance or you would be a wallflower all night. There was an old school house up the road and there was a dancing class held there every Tuesday night. It was there that we learned the Irish dancing steps. We perfected the Highland fling, the Barn dance, the Stack of Barley, the Walls of Limerick and the Irish Reel and many more. ... There were great singers - it was a treat to hear them sing The Black Bird of Sweet Avondale, The White Cliffs of Dover and one of my favourites The Fields of Athenry. One chap used to sing Danny Boy - it was a hard song to sing but let me tell you he could reach the notes. We would stand in the lane and listen to the echo of beautiful voices on many a cold frosty night. When I hear those songs now it brings back sweet memories. When the war ended emigration started. It's sad to think that some of the finest looking boys and girls left our shore, the cream of our country departed. Most of them settled in England. It grieves me to think of the loss they were to our lovely country. I myself emigrated because I knew I was doomed to hardship. All my father wanted for me was a man with a farm. Age didn't come into it. If he was fifty years or ten more it didn't matter, as long as he had the acres he was a great choice. Often these farmers were up to their necks in debt ... Our mother was a far seeing woman. She was in America for many years and so she put me wise and gave great advice. My beloved went to London. We made a secret pact and I followed later. We married in England. My mother was in failing health, so we came on a visit. A local farm was up for sale and we bought it. We did not return to England. I took care of both parents with the help of my two brothers. My mother died first and my father seven years later, at the ripe old age of ninety-three. We had many long talks, and it would draw a tear from a stone to hear of the hardships of his youth. And I for one am delighted to be living in lovely Leitrim." -- Excerpts, "Leitrim Guardian" 2004 annual magazine, with photos of Susan FLYNN, and of John FLYNN on his Massey Ferguson tractor. (Posted w/permission editorial staff).

OUR HIDEAWAY Steps down from the busy street I know a quaint and sequestered place Where the black laths caress white walls And arched doorways are low and deep set; Where pewter tankards have retired to high shelves And old books are resting nearby Where coach lamps glow And dried flowers hang their pretty heads; Old pots and pans sit by the fire While a sewing machine backstitches on the past; In this room of memories We talk of old times and old ways And when the music flows On flagstone floor we tap our toes. -- Maura O'GRADY

SNIPPET: Maureen QUIGLEY recalls days long ago and happy Christmases spent in the County Leitrim village of Drumsna. "It was an exciting time, looking with eyes in delight as soon as the different shops began their Christmas preparations. With the sound of a gaggle of geese from John NOTLEY's passing lorry, one was reminded of how near the festive season was. Usually for us children, it was around the village to view the shop windows dressed for the season. In the window of Johnny McMANUS's bakery were trays of green and yellow candied peel, currants, raisins, nutmeg and whatever else the baker needed. On the other side of the street was Gerry DUNLEAVY's. The shop was divided in two parts, one with groceries and the other side was drapery and Mrs. DUNLEAVY being a warm and hospitable woman never deprived me of sweets at Christmas. Then it was up the road to MAHONEY's where a train on a track was in motion in the window with each carriage carrying different sweets and chocolates. FITZMAURICE's was next and if one had a few pennies we bought mouth watering homemade ice-cream. Further up the road was Tom McMANUS's shop. Mrs. McMANUS had the place adorned with berried holly and greenery from the garden whilst she was putting the finishing touches to the most beautiful Fair Isle jumpers she had knit. A visit to the Church was a must, to view the crib and admire the brass candlesticks and vases - how they sparkled after being polished, and the altar-rails draped with a snow-white cloth. Down the road to DALY's where James PATRICK was busy with his festive preparations. He had multi-coloured paper chains hung from the ceiling and rows of Christmas cards at 2d, 3d, and 6d hanging on a string from one corner of the shop to the other. Bridgie DALY had her cards hung in the same way and her window display contained jars of conversation lozenges, liquorice pipes, bull's-eyes and slabs of toffee. As a child my grandmother would send me to Bridgie's for the Christmas cards and my orders were get only Brian O'HIGGIN's, they were the only ones she sent overseas. While the cards were got ready I was sent to the kitchen to get tea from Kate and Bee ... The Post Office was such a busy place prior to Christmas as people were sending turkeys, geese and hams to friends abroad, especially to England. The wooden empty cheese box was used for sending butter overseas. The postmistress Baby HEALY had to seal all the knots on the parcels with red wax. Surrounded by letters and parcels, many a time I watched from outside the window as she proceeded to do this task. Her brother Sonny helped her, while Charlie, her other brother, was on hand to deliver any telegrams. The postman Liam COSTELLO had a busy task. He had to get all the mailbags to Corlara railway station on his white pony and trap for the Dublin train and maybe wait hours for the Sligo train to bring mail back for sorting. Apart from post he had to bring messages to people. In later years he used his bicycle for postal deliveries. Again he was loaded with parcels, but every letter and parcel was delivered on time. TOUHY's, the drapery and footwear shop, had two large windows, which were beautifully decorated, one with all the nice things for the ladies and children, and the other displaying all the menswear. Mrs. KILGALLEN always gave me handkerchiefs and ribbons for my hair for Christmas. My father's butcher shop was next door, it was decorated with berried holly, which was stapled around the window (which had no glass), and hanging from hooks was beef, mutton, oxtails, tongues, etc. At night the shutters were put up. They were fitted with wire grills for ventilation. Michael BEIRNE's shop was next and who could forget Mrs. BEIRNE, the gentle, kind and generous lady who would come from the shop and give us children sweets as we played outside. Miss HIGGINS was another kind lady who lived on the street, and she had her uncle, Rev. Father HIGGINS staying with her. Some weeks before Christmas the Bishop of the day would visit. I would be told in advance and invited to tea. I was very nervous going to visit that evening. As a nine or ten year old meeting the Bishop was a big event. Anyway I need not have worried. Miss HIGGINS made me feel at home, but I was still relieved when his Lordship was gone, and was happy to help with the washing up. Our local blacksmith, Willie GILROY, at the time had plenty of geese; and weeks before Christmas he organised raffles. So the local 25 card players would be busy playing on the run up to Christmas. FERGUSON's had a window displayed with bicycles, radios, grocery and hardware, as did Richard TANSEY years later." -- Excerpts, "Leitrim Guardian" annual magazine 2004

LITTLE CHRISTMAS The excitement of seeing new faces visit our small farm was over, as relations and neighbours stopped calling. I felt lonesome for the red-berried holly and the crib packed away with the brass candlesticks; the cosy atmosphere of coloured crepe paper decorations, cards and posters depicting Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, placed in old shoe boxes. Letters that came with parcels from America were put aside for acknowledgement. Waiting another twelve months for Christmas cake, plum pudding and the extra groceries from Murray's shop, and the local Co-op, made time seem infinite. -- Leitrim-born Mary Guckian, "The Road to Gowel," Swan Press Dublin (2000).