SNIPPET: In the May-June 2004 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine readers shared some comments about Ireland: Ken TIPPETTE, Davidson, NC, wrote: "Patrick POWER's article 'Cycling Days,' which you featured in the Sept-October 2003 issue of IOTW, about the once widespread use of the bicycle in Ireland, shed light on a marvellous, but all too often overlooked, means of transportation. A few years ago, I brought my bicycle with me on a trip to Ireland. When I arrived at Shannon airport, I had no plan of where I wanted to go, but I set off with a guidebook, a map and the few essential items which I needed packed on my bike. For ten days I pedalled around the Irish countryside, allowing my whim to determine my daily destination. A partial list of the wonderful places I visited includes Ennis, Galway, Cong, Knock, Sligo, Westport, Clifden and Doolin. I saw the majesty of the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Croagh Patrick, Connemara and the Aran Islands. The open nature of bicycle travel exposed me to the country in a way that most visitors do not experience. I felt the Irish mist, sme! lled the scents along the rural lanes and heard the soft roadside sounds of nature. But, perhaps, best of all, the bicycle gave me access to the people of Ireland. Travelling by bike extends an open invitation to anyone who wants to share a conversation and this proved its worth in Ireland. Some of my most treasured Irish memories are the times I spent with the people who showered me with hospitality. When I returned home, I felt I had indeed visited the real Ireland." Angie PURCELL, Pottsville, PA, shared: "I am a new subscriber and I was delighted that my first issue contained an article on the Gaeltacht in Muskerry, in Co. Cork. I am an Irish-American who is "rediscovering my roots," so to speak. This quest for information about my ancestry has lead me down a path of learning to speak Gaelige. It is no easy task to teach yourself a foreign language, but your article inspired me to seek out instruction here in the States and I am currently attending weekend classes held by Daltai na Gaeilge. I am glad that your magazine considers that it is important to promote the Irish language and an important piece of Irish culture and history. Although Gaeilge may be declining in use, it is wonderful to see that areas such as Muskerry are holding onto their heritage and keeping the language alive for future generations. Gaeilge and other areas of Irish culture are rapidly becoming of interest in the States. Several schools and teachers such ! as Daltai na Gaeilge are offering courses in Gaeilge, Irish step dancing and lessons on the bodhran. Not only did your article inspire me to keep learning Irish, but it also pointed out areas of the Gaeltacht that I will be visiting in my upcoming trip to Ireland in 2005. Go raibh maith agat for the inspiring article and promoting your wonderful language." The editor pointed out that the maps of the Gaeltacht areas published by Gael Saoire, featured in the Bits and Pieces section of the Jan-Feb 2004 issue should be useful to her trip. James M. McDOWELL, Quincy, IL, wrote: "For nearly two weeks during the summer of 2001, my wife, I and our adult children and their spouses, nine of us in total, toured Ireland. Ireland was everything we had hoped for and even more. The Irish people were especially delightful. While visiting friends, Gerard and Mary McGREAL, on their farm in Co. Mayo, we got our first glimpse of Croagh Patrick. The Holy Mountain loomed majestically on the horizon, to the west of their farm near Westport. The peak beckoned us, and so, (apart from my wife, due to health reasons), we decided to scale the mountain. Gerard McGREAL and his daughter Ann accompanied us as we began our trek to the summit. The top half of Croagh Patrick was shrouded with fog. The moist, cool weather was such a contrast to the searing heat which we encounter back home during summer in IL. The climb to the top certainly taxed our strength and energy, but, with determination, we prevailed and eventually reached ! the summit. As residents of the flat IL prairie, the size and elevation of Croagh Patrick was overwhelming. The emotional high which we experienced was especially intense. The panoramic view of Co. Mayo and the Atlantic Ocean was, for want of a better word, awesome! We experienced a sense of achievement, wonder and fulfilment as we absorbed the splendour of this Holy Mountain." Katharine SLYFIELD, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, wrote: "Firstly, thank you for the very interesting and informative article on the Skerries Mills project. It provided readers with an excellent insight into the importance of water and windmills in Irish history. Five minutes from my home, in southern Ontario, Canada, in the village of Tyrone, is the Tyrone Mill. This mill was built in 1846 by John GRAY and his son-in-law James McFEETERS. In the 1840s, the little village was bursting with Irish and English immigrants and the flour mill was the hub of the community. It was a very important and necessary part of life in Tyrone, in its heyday it produced about fifty barrels of flour on a daily basis. The original millstones were removed in 1890 and the mill was converted to a livestock feed storage building. The feed was phased out in the 1950s and a sawmill was added. However, the flour making operation was rebuilt in 1996 to coincide with the mill's 150th anniversar! y. These days the mill is still being used as a sawmill, specialising in sawing and apple cider. Locally produced goods, such as cheese, honey and maple syrup are also sold here. It has even been part of the set of locally filmed TV series. A very important part of southern Ontario's history indeed, in a village with Irish connections."