SNIPPET: In the Sept-Oct 2001 issue of Dublin-published "Ireland of the Welcomes," readers had comments about Ireland as well as particular IOTW magazine articles they have enjoyed: Shirley McGLYNN, Lavender Bay, Australia, shared: "I have been subscribing for a number of years and enjoy re-reading the issues, particularly when mention is made of my ancestral area on the Shannon and Clondra, Co. Longford. I have visited Ireland eight times, the first time youth hostelling in the south and north in 1954 - a rather different Ireland then. One article in particular struck a chord with me - 'Memories of the Shannon,' by Patrick J. POWER, Sept-Oct 2000" -- 'Whenever I return to Tarmonbarry, cross the hump-back bridge in Clondra, drive down the hill past what used to be CLYNES' mill ... and see the Shannon below me.' My family lived in Richmond House and worked the Richmond Mill from 1831 until it was sold to Joseph CLYNE in 1928. Bernadette CLYNE supplied photos for my family story: 'A Family on the Shannon: the FLEMINGS of Richmond Harbour, County Longford, Ireland,' published in 1994. Jane LAMB, Brunswick, ME, wrote: "For more than 20 years, I have been enjoying your beautiful magazine and it never fails to delight me. I always find some connection, small or great, with my Irish roots. One of the most exciting articles was several years about about SYNGE's cottage and its restoration, which led to my corresponding with Treasa Ni FHATHARTA. I wanted to find some clue to my great-grandfather's origins -- A DERRANE, he was supposedly born in Inishmaan. The greatest number of connections in one issue, however, came with the May/June 2001 issue. The article on Cork City struck me because I visited Dr. Seamus DURAN of UCC there last year. I got acquainted with him through a footnote in Tim ROBINSON's 'Stone of Aran. In pursuit of common ancestors.' From the article 'Road Bowling in Cork' by Sophie GORMAN, I was pleased to discover, this was not just an ancient sport described with great humour in the Irish RM, one of my favourite reads. Imagine how s! urprised I was to learn that one of my friends goes road bowling with Irish pals right here in Maine! Then I turned to the story about Sherkin Island Marine Station, where another dear friend spent seven romantic years before returning here to spin marvellous yarns about the place. 'Music in the Mountains' by Alf McCREARY spoke to me of my nephew. A follower of Rudoph STEINER, he teaches people with special needs in a Waldorf School in Sydney, Australia. Although he has not said so, it must be surely part of the Camphill Movement. Finding a photo of the inimitable David NORRIS, dancing for Joy-ce capped the climax. I had the privilege and fun of studying with David at Trinity 25 years ago! I've been to Ireland several times since then and plan to take my grand-daughter to the Kerrygold Horse Show and the Connemara Pony Show this year. She is also keen to visit Middle Earth Country featured in the Jan/Feb 2001 issue. Thank you again for a wonderful publication and ! its breathtaking photos." Glen and La Dona BALINGER, Cornersville, TN, wrote: "Have you ever been homesick for a place you had never been before? That is exactly how my wife and I had felt before realising that we must come to Ireland. My own mother who is now 90 years old, had told me how her grandfather had told her about Ireland, and that he spoke with such a heavy brogue, that as children she and her brothers and sisters could barely understand him. He must have migrated to America during the mid-1800s, settling in middle TN. These old stories, and a strange drawing sensation finally brought us to your enchanted island last year. Aer Lingus brought us safely from Boston to Shannon and from the first moment we were captivated by the spell of the countryside, the people, the pubs, and the shops, all were more than we had imagined. We took a self-drive holiday, so we were able to travel at our own pace and stayed at B&Bs to meet more people on a personal level. The overall experience was r! emarkable. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. However, we did not get to spend as much time as we wanted to at any one place, as there was so much to see and we had to travel on. We did travel from Kerry to Cork to Wicklow so as to get "a bit of a feel" of the country. When we had to fly home no one was ready, and I must admit more than a few tears were shed at Dublin airport. Our source of hope at that time was the comfort in knowing that we would soon be returning..." --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.690 / Virus Database: 451 - Release Date: 5/22/2004