SNIPPET: Readers shared their comments regarding Ireland in the Sept-Oct 2000 issue of "Ireland of the Welcomes," magazine, published in Dublin: Kathleen Norton MADIGAN, Broad Brook, CT, wrote, " Turning the pages of your beautiful magazine is like taking a brief journey back to Ireland! ... On my only trip to Ireland last June, my family and I visited with my mother's first cousin and his family, the CARROLLs. They live in Leighlin Bridge, and since my ggparents are buried on the grounds at St. Laserian's Cathedral, we spent some time there. My grandfather, James Laserian CARROLL, was named after St. Laserian, so it meant a lot to me to see this beautiful place. We took pictures, of course, including one of the east window behind the altar and another of the majestic gateway to the Cathedral. Imagine my surprise and delight at discovering your article 'Setting the Date for Easter' (Mar-Apr 2000 issue). You are correct in saying that St. Laserian's Cathedral is set deep in the countryside of Co. Carlow, where no tour bus will take you; our cousin told us many of the things which your article mentioned. I congrat! ulate you on your fine ability to get to the core of the stories in Ireland ..... Thanks for including St. Laserian's and its heritage in your magazine!" (Editor replied: "You will be interested to hear that there was a wonderful ecumenical service in the cathedral and at the nearby holy well on St. Laserian's Day, April 18. In the tradition of pilgrimage, people walked from nearby Leighlin Bridge and Carlow town. One octogenerian made the trip in traditional pilgrimage paths across the country fields." Reverend Gordon WYNNE, St. Mary's Rectory, Dunleckney, Co. Carlow, penned: "Your presentation of St. Laserian's Cathedral in the March-April 2000 issue is superb in every way. We shall treasure this article and indeed find much use for it." Moira MORRISON, Whitby, Ontario, Canada, shared: "When I opened the Mar-Apr 2000 issue of IOTW, I found a wonderful surprise! On page 11, there was a photograph of a most loved and familiar site - the lighthouse at Black Head, Co. Antrim. I grew up beside the lighthouse in the scenic little seaside town of Whitehead. One of my favourite walks was up to the top of Black Head and down the winding path on the other side and through a series of interesting caves. The story goes that these caves were used by pirates and smugglers in bygone days and here on the rocks , there are always keen fishermen with rod and reel. Continuing along the seaside walk, you can see the Copeland Islands (another lighthouse) and the town of Bangor, on the Co. Down side of Belfast Lough. During the war years, in the 1940s, there were cargo ships, battleships and aircraft carriers sheltering there in safe waters. There are probably still some of your American readers who know this area very we! ll. If they were in the U. S. Army, stationed around the town of Whitehead in the 1940s and just before the Allied Invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France, they won't forget Black Head! I enjoyed all of the article and it's wonderful to know that five Irish lighthouses are to be restored by the Landmark Trust. Wonderful memories of 'home.'" Lionel KANTE, Buenos Aires, Argentina, commented, ".... I think that receiving your magazine is like opening a window to breathe Ireland's fresh air every two months. Thank you very much." Marcia HAKEY, Vernon, VT, wrote: "For many years I have been subscribing to IOTW and I have been to Ireland six times. My experiences have been the most marvellous you could every remember. One of the most delightful experiences was about two years ago; I had the wonderful chance to meet Noel C. DUGGAN at Green Glens Arena and he was so very delightful to us. Although he was busy, he took the time to show us around the horse farm and showed us some of his preferred stock. He asked me if I was riding tomorrow and when I said that I was, he informed me that he would have a special mount for me and much to my surprise he certainly did. I got to ride one of their famous and very valuable thoroughbreds called 'Mill Trump,' whom now I believe has doubled in value. Back I went to visit again in 1997 and they let me ride her again and she was now even more valuable. They remembered that I had ridden her back in 1996 and what a grand thing to be remembered like that. I have ! had MS for 21 years now and as of last year I am unable to ride, so these memories are very precious to me; to be treated like someone very special was just wonderful. Thanks many times to Noel C. and son Tom and our guide Kate for all their Irish hospitality, there is none like it."