SNIPPET: Readers shared their thoughts on Ireland in the March-April 1999 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine: Heather B. RONALD, Toorak, Victoria, Australia penned: "I have been subscribing to your wonderful magazine for many years and always find it full of interest. After wanting to visit Ireland for as long as I can remember - especially the Dublin Horse Show - this was finally achieved in 1990. I have retired from active farm life now, but still enjoy taking some part in the family work with cattle and horses. How could anyone with Irish blood not love horses? Why is it that people with even slight traces of Irish blood feel the need to visit the land of their roots? I don't believe that origins in any other country in the world have the same extraordinary strength of magnetism. I am unlikely now to ever return, but travelling over the counties of Offaly and Wicklow, where my ancestors were born has given me a real sense of belonging! IOTW keeps it fresh in my mind. Long may you continue to bring such pleasure to everyone who loves Ireland." Patricia Valley, Fairhaven, MA: In June of 1996, my sister and I finally fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting our grandmother's (Annie HIGGINS) girlhood home, Elphin, Co. Roscommon. While there, we took a side trip to Strokestown House and Famine Museum, where we witnessed the sadness, the tragedy and the remarkable courage of the Irish people during the Great Famine. I was especially pleased to read in the Sept/Oct 1998 issue, the article about Turlough O'CAROLAN and to see the picture of Strokestown house and other references to Co. Roscommon. We hope to return in June 1999 and meanwhile we'll travel via IOTW." Maureen COONEY, Kuujjuaq, Quebec, Canada: "I recently received your IOTW as a gift from a friend. It's gorgeous. I moved up to the Arctic over a year ago, to a land where the landscape and Inukshuks often remind me of the treeless barren Burren of Co. Clare. Also, the Inuit peoples' shy, simple and shrewd observation of their surroundings remind me of Co. Cavan, where I grew up 50 years ago. Over the past 150 years, many Irish traders came exploring and inter-married. The local radio station's signature tune is 'Hello Patsy Fagan,' among others. Your magazine is a warm comfort and all the Post Office staff ask about the colourful book from my home land. Go raibh mile maith agaibh." (The editor enjoyed her letter and sent her a copy of "Ireland from the Sea," by Andrew PHELAN).