SNIPPET: In the July-Aug 1999 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine, readers shared their thoughts on the Emerald Isle: Jean Shannon COONEY, Drexel Hill, PA: "My husband and I recently returned from a second trip to Ireland. Upon our return, everyone asked us, "Is it as green as they say?" Truly it is, but it's the other colours that stay in our minds. The brilliant turquoise of the sea off Mizen Head; black-faced sheep climbing grey rocks in Connemara; clumps of pink wild flowers along the roads of Adare; yellow shop fronts in Cahir; hundreds of muted lavender and blue rocks strewn on the beach at Waterville; a red boat rocking on Lake Corrib - around each bend in the road we encountered a gorgeous, multi-hued vista. Ireland is indeed an extraordinarily beautiful land. With each issue of IOTW, we revisit your colourful country. The articles give us ideas for future trips and the photographs bring back fond memories of our past ones. (For her letter, the editor sent her a copy of "Irish Blessings" by Ashley SHANNON). Jim GOLDFRANK, Herndon, VA: "Your letter column is mostly from folk of Irish descent. You have other fans, like me, who are not Irish. My ancestral home is Bavaria, but I only associate that with the Holocaust. Ireland is the home of my heart. I have been there five times including three trips to the 'Willie Clancy Summer School.' I love Ireland's beauty, her people and her music. I feel that love of saoirse (freedom) is something that Irish culture and my Jewish culture has in common. Each IOTW, which is well written and illustrated, is like a short trip to where my heart is." Michael J. EGAN, Louisville, KY: "I have been reading your fine magazine for many years thanks to Irish-American friends of ours. It was given to me for Christmas and I liked it so much, that they renew my subscription each year. My wife and I have only been to Ireland once, but hope to return next year. I recently received my Irish passport. All Americans with at least one Irish-born parent are dual citizens, but I wanted written proof. The best proof is my Irish passport, which is kept with my father's. I would like your readers' help. My Uncle Dennis EGAN, immigrated to New York, but may have moved to Boston, in the 1920s. His parents, from County Galway, were James EGAN and Mary Kelleher EGAN ..." Julia KENDER, Greenbelt, MD: "Thank you for writing the article about YEATS' houses in the Jan-Feb 1999 issue. It's not just that it brings back memories of my trip to Ireland in 1997, when I toured Coole Park and Thoor Ballylee, but YEATS himself is my absolute favourite and I received the issue the day before my birthday. Indeed, no other gift could have pleased me more." Edward S. DAVIS, Wilton, CT: "Just received my first copy of IOTW and have read it avidly. I have been back to Ireland five times and have researched my Grandfather's roots in Co. Sligo in my own way. He arrived in the United States as an orphan in 1884 and by 1920 had his own business as a glazier in Port Chester, NY, where I was born. The scope of your publication is wonderful. My only son is a cycling enthusiast, so I sent 'The Joys of Cycling with Beckett' article to him in Chicago. I hope to return several more times to Sligo and Mayo."