SNIPPET: Readers shared their thoughts about Ireland in the Jan-Feb 2005 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine: Paddy SAVAGE, Evanston, IL wrote: "As a long time reader and fan of your magazine, it was a pleasure to read the Sept-Oct 2004 'Byways rather than Highways' on the Contrasts of Clare. My grandmother, Kitty LOUGHNANE, was born in Feakle, a village I have visited many times over the years. My cousins, Sean NUGENT and family, live in Scarriff and many of my cousins still live in and around Feakle. The pub that Mr. MORIARTY says to turn right after is probably PEPPERS' Pub which is a local favourite. East Clare is a wonderful part of Ireland. I would encourage all your readers to visit." Margaret THOMPSON, Louth, Lincolnshire, England shared: "I would like your readers to know that your lovely magazine does not only travel across the Atlantic, but it also reaches much nearer home in Great Britain. I have been a subscriber ever since I bought my little piece of escapism -- a house in Co . Kerry, some 15 years ago. My friends often ask wouldn't I rather have a place in the sun -- but they haven't experienced the views of Carrantoohil from my lounge window or watched the ever-changing colours of the sky, or even the rain clouds racing in from the Atlantic. Last summer I invited three friends to fly over and stay with me. Unfortunately they were unable to get flights into Kerry Airport, which was a bit annoying since it is only a twelve mile drive from my house, however, they flew into Cork Airport and I met them there. I had forgotten about the Sculpture Road, although I had read Jo KERRIGAN's article on it earlier last year, but I had filed the copy away! somewhere safe (mislaid!), so it was a surprise to see these works of art on the road. As we drove back from Cork the sun was shining brightly and suddenly we came upon the magnificent sculpture of the unicorn up high on a hill, reared up on its hind legs with a clear blue sky with the majestic mountains behind it -- this was a truly magical sight! I think it was that vision that touched our holiday with some inexplicable quality. We had not met together since we were at college almost 40 years ago! We had a great holiday, as I showed them around my favourite part of 'The Kingdom' - cramming in as much as possible into a week. They returned to England with wonderful memories of cloudless skies over Dingle and the Ring of Kerry. Congratulations on producing a magazine which appeals to all with those aspirations to visit Ireland - there is always something of interest." Sharon Mooney MALINOWSKI, Detroit, MI, penned: "I would like to thank you, because I have consistently enjoyed "IOTW" for what must be over 40 years now. When I was finally able to visit Ireland in September 2000, I experienced such a sense of real homecoming; I knew immediately that Ireland was where part of me belonged and would always return. And with each new issue of your magnificent magazine, I renew my vow to write and express my gratitude for so many hours of pure transport. As a result of your Sept-Oct 2004 issue, I must finally make good on that vow. Such a pleasant surprise to read about the 'Slow Food' movement in Ireland and so many familiar faces and places among the photographs. In 2003, I enrolled in Darina ALLEN's three-month cookery course at her Ballymaloe Cookery School. What an inspiration she continues to be - not only were the recipes foolproof (...well, almost), but after cooking with all that farm-fresh produce, herbs, locally produced cheese ! and meat, free-range eggs, that wonderful Irish butter and cream, and Frank HEDERMAN's smoked wild Irish salmon, I returned home one of her devoted disciples. Since I might never realise my dream of actually living in Ireland, I am creating a little bit of Ireland here. My husband and I are opening an Irish restaurant and pub in Corktown, a historic neighbourhood in Detroit, Michigan, which was settled by Irish immigrants in the early 1840s. Baile Corcaigh will feature the traditional Irish fare I learned to prepare at Ballymaloe, using only the best of seasonal ingredients, locally and organically produced whenever possible, simply prepared, and always invoking Darina's dynamic spirit, and her very talented staff. And here's to another forty years of treasure from your unique magazine." (Note, after receiving her letter, the editor sent her a copy of 'Deliciously Irish' by Viki PIDGEON). Julie and Wayne GLEESON, Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia wrote: "We have recently returned from our third trip to Ireland and UK in three years. Our trip was unfortunately cut short from 14 weeks to 5 weeks due to my father in Sydney suffering a stroke. Sadly, our planned itinerary of nine weeks in Ireland was reduced to five hectic days in Dublin. We stayed in an apartment right on the Liffey which was a fantastic location and so central to everything. Dublin is our favourite city after Sydney and we never tire of walking the streets day or night. We found it amazing that at 11 p.m. on a Wednesday night there is still so much traffic and life in the city. We were undecided about our views on The Spire but seeing it at night made us feel it fitted into O'Connell Street perfectly but unobtrusively. Although our tour of the rest of the country had to be abandoned, some of the fully paid for accommodation has been refunded to us and we were also able to obtain re! funds to Riverdance and the CORRs. The staff at Dublin Airport were most helpful in assisting us to return home quickly when they heard of our plight. My father is still recovering but we have our fingers crossed. We look forward to being able to return to Ireland to complete our trip in the future; meaning we will continue to read "IOTW" as a substitute."