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 thi! ng 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." --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.716 / Virus Database: 472 - Release Date: 7/14/2004