SNIPPET: In the July-Aug 2004 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine, readers made the following comments: John CZYTAJLO, Marcy, NY, shared: ".... My wife Elizabeth and I went to Ireland for a three-week holiday a few years ago. I suggested that we go as north, south, east and west, to see as much of Ireland as possible. Since we landed in Shannon, we decided to go to the Aran Islands first - as far west as you can go. I can still picture the ancient fort of Dun Aengus on Inis Mor. When we got back to Galway, we headed for Malin Head, which is as far north as you can go ... we made a wrong turn and ended up in a farmer's yard. We turned around and finally got to Malin Head. As I stood on the edge of the cliff, there was nothing but water in front of me, and I felt I could see the curvature of the earth! For our most southerly destination - we went to Crookhaven, in Co. Cork, while the Irish Sea was our most eastern point. Most of the time we stayed! in B&B homes, and I gained four pounds in three weeks because of the huge Irish breakfasts." William J. FINN, Tucson, AZ, penned: "Being a longtime subscriber, my wife and I always enjoy reading of the places we've been, and finding new ones to explore. We are planning our ninth trip for this year. We have driven thousands of miles on your beautiful island, much of it on the secondary roads. We met many friendly and helpful people through the years. On one trip my 84 year old stepfather, Joseph CONNOLLY, became ill. Our hostess at the B&B, Mrs. Breid KELLY of Letterkenny, called her doctor for a house call, and then attended to Joe's needs for three days, thereby allowing us to tour about during the day. We have stayed in dozens of B&Bs, where John SKELTON's paintings of the Kerry coast were proudly displayed. We went to purchase some prints by Mr. SKELTON at his gallery in Dublin. We were surprised and delighted when we were met by the artist himself, and given a tour of his studio. He showed us his works in progress, and signed our new prints. A very pleasant man, typical Irish hospitality. When we get off the plane in Ireland, it truly feels like we're coming home. We are looking forward to our upcoming trip, to renewing old friendships and making enw ones. Thanks for your great magazine, it's always an inspiration." Pat MURRAY, Fullerton, CA, wrote: "I'm so glad that I found IOTW. I was born in Co. Galway and came to the USA when I was eleven. I went to school in Ireland (Galway and Roscommon) and I remember so much about growing up in a small village in Ireland - Cloonshivna, 'Valley of the River,' in Galway. At that time there were still pockets of old traditions alive from the 'Wren Boys' to people dressed up to celebrate St. Brigid's Night and many more! Your magazine brings back a lot of memories. I have been back to Ireland several times in the past years, and it is changing rapidly to the good for its economy. However, you keep alive the old stories and for this I thank you...." Mary Patricia MARSHALL, Kansas City, MO, shared: Jo KERRIGAN's remarkable story about the Sculpture Road to Killarney , which you featured in the Jan-Feb 2004 issue of your magazine, made me realise that my three-week visit there in 2002 was not long enough. I did not know the story behind the roadside sculptures then - the softening of development or see all the pieces pictured in the article. I certainly would have gone on an expedition to find them if I had read the article first. I saw Killarney and the rest of Kerry from the back of a horse and out the window of our new Saab or during walks, but the horse was by far the best way .... Elizabeth O'DONOGHUE, the sculptor's lovely red-haired wife, served us her delicious soda bread, with tea after a visit in Tighe's outdoor stone sanctuary .... My great-grandfather emigrated from his farm in Glenflesk, Co. Kerry to Kansas City via New Orleans to build the railroad from Tipton to Sedalia, MO, before buying his farm there. Kilaha, a ruin now, is also our family castle. Its stones are falling down. I compared our picture to my aunt and uncle Bob's, taken over 30 years ago. His brother, Tom DONAHUE, a physicist from the U. of MI organised family events including meeting our clan chief in Glenflesk from our headquarters at Shelia DONAHUE's place: Salmon Leap Farm. The electricity company bought my grandmother's farm on the banks of the River Shannon in Tarbert, Co. Kerry, near the ferry to Shannon and put high intensity power lines and a plant nearby. My mother's cousins had to move over the hill. Your article celebrates preservation. Ireland must be saved for our future and yet linked to the past, thanks for the reminder." --- 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: 7/7/2004