SNIPPET: The Jan-Feb 2006 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine included these comments by their readers: Marlene FITZPATRICK, Le Mars, IA, wrote: "My love affair with Ireland extends back to 1979, when my late husband and I made our first visit. We travelled around much the island by car and fell in love with the place. We travelled there again in 1983 and 1986 and, then, in 1988 we actually moved to Carlow for a school year, while I attended the Irish Institute of Pastoral Liturgy. In 1995, my daughter and I made a return visit, but it has taken me ten years to go back again. In May of last year I travelled to Co. Clare, where I rented a beautiful cottage by the sea on the Burren Way, north of Lisdoonvarna. I spent six glorious weeks exploring the Burren and entertaining twenty-two members of my family. Imagine my joy when I received my Sept-Oct 2005 issue and saw that you had featured the crafts of County Clare. I had the distinct pleasure of visiting the Burren Perfumery Centre, Brendan's Boat and the Burren Stained Glass Art shop. The cottage was furnished with a couple of the unique wooden chairs that the owner himself had crafted. Spending those six weeks in such a magical place gave me a feeling of 'coming home' and I hope to be able to repeat it soon. I thoroughly enjoy your beautiful magazine." Bonnie FRAIPSURE, Milford, KY, penned: "I recently signed up for IOTW and I do love it. The stories and the pictures are beautiful. You really do a good job of putting the magazine together. I hope to visit Ireland some day. I am a Home Health Care Provider, I live in the patient's home from Sunday night until Thursday morning. I take care of a blind ninety-six year old lady. I read your magazine to her and she enjoys it immensely ..." Michael & Carla DONOVAN, Viera, FL, shared: "Imagine our surprise when we came upon a picture of our family's ancestral castle while reading the article 'Castles of West Cork' in your May-June 2005 issue. We visited Castle Donovan during a wonderful three-week trip to Ireland in September 2000. Castle Donovan is the unidentified castle on page 39 in the upper right-hand of the page. It is located in the beautiful foothills just South of Nowen Hill near the Town of Dunmanway. Signs directing you to Castle Donovan are located in Dunmanway and also on the R-586 highway West of Dunmanway. We have a picture of Castle Donovan in our home that was taken with a beautiful fuchsia in full bloom in the foreground. Until we return to Ireland on our next visit, your lovely magazine helps keep your beautiful country in our hearts and minds." Barbara J. COLLINS, LaConner, WA, wrote: "KENNY's bookshop has a website! Our second adventure at travel abroad was to Ireland in 1978 and it was love at first sight for us. We had studied up on Irish history before going and we were told about an out-of-print book which we might enjoy, so when we reached Galway we went straight to Kenny's Bookshop. Unfortunately they didn't have this book, but they took our name and address and entered it in a spiral notebook in case one came in. We returned to Ireland in 1979, arriving again in Galway and visiting Kenny's again to ask about this book. Still nothing yet, but our name was still in the book, so we had hope. The following year a small package arrived at our door and there was our book, 'My Lady of the Chimney Corner,' a bill for six pounds and a note apologising that it had taken so long! It was unbelievable and such trust! I rushed to the bank to obtain a cheque and get it on its way as soon as possible. Our last time in Ireland was in 1985, when we attended classes at University College Dublin and then toured every little road along the southwest coast. We are in our eighties now and don't travel much, but we still love your magazine and the memories it brings. It was one of our sources for our trip in 1978 when we read about the classes at UCD. And now you have brought Kenny's to use again." (The editor replied - "Thank you for sharing your little anecdote with us; Kenny's Bookshop really was an institution but sadly they are closing their bookstore as they are going to concentrate on their online book sales.") Linda CANTRELL, Blodgett, MO, shared: "Most of us have a 'Wish List.' However, we are lucky if we are able to mark off one item on this list. This year, I have been able to mark off two items and both deal with Ireland. I have always wished for an Irish ancestor. A niece started to research my mother's ancestry and sent me a copy. Much to my delight, on one of the last pages, there it was -- Frances RILEY born in Ireland in 1692. My sixth great-grandparent made me 'A Wee Bit Irish.' Another item on my wish list was to visit Ireland and I have just returned from my first trip to The Emerald Isle. It was everything that I had ever hoped for. The colours were vivid, the people I talked to were so friendly and helpful, the historic sites were fascinating, the music was lilting, and the pubs were fun. However, my time in Ireland was too short, so I hope that I will have the chance to return to a country that fulfilled all my hopes and expectations, as I want to experience more of Ireland and I want to be a wee bit more Irish."