Y'know, here in Ireland, when someone dies, we go the length and breadth of the country to the funeral - it might just be the removal the night before - it might be the parent/uncle/cousin of a friend - but we go............... We may not stay for the refreshments afterwards, unlike what the rest of the world thinks, we don't totally drown ourselves in alcohol at removals and funerals - but we do go to them. A friend of mine died last Friday. His name was Jim Donnellan. James L.Donnellan to be exact from Fullerton, CA I met Jim and Beverly his wife a few times when they were over here - we'd go to Pasta Fresca for a meal - or else we'd meet there, and then to the pub for a few pints afterwards.......... The first time I ever met them, that was in the National Archives, we'd arranged to meet there - what struck me most about this couple was that they were so much in love, I couldn't believe that they had been married for over twenty years when they told me Y'know what's really getting me here now - Jim was a net friend - he lives in another country - another world. In my own world, I can go to a funeral and say goodbye - in this internet world - I can't. The best I can hope for is that someone will tell me if someone I have come to care for passes away............. How can you mourn someone, know their gone, when you aren't there?!! I don't know. Jim had a Donnellan web site and he was ever so proud of it. He wasn't researching his direct ancestry, but the Donnellan surname in Ireland, so, it could help anyone. He came over so often, he was so engrossed in Donnellan research, I think it is one of his sons who set up this site, and he did have an earlier site - he went through manuscripts by the dozen. The day I first met him, he was sitting at a table in the National Arhives with this box of manuscripts open in front ofhim, Beverly his wife - she was off doing something else........and joined him He has some nice photos of Ballydonnelan, Galway on his web site if Galway people would like to see them and are not interested in the Donnellan surname Jane Jim's URL http://www.ballyd.com/ and a note from his web site Jim Donnellan is a proud Donnellan, loving husband and father of four children. Jim has been researching his ancestry for the past two decades, and aggressively for the past three years. Most of his research has been through the internet and recent trips to Ireland. His passion for genealogy is reflected in this web site.

Sincere sympathy to you, Dr. Jane, on the loss of your "net" friend, Jim Donnellan. You've paid a fine tribute to him...and I think you were there...if only in spirit. Terry Bora Michigan USA ----- Original Message ----- From: Jane Lyons PhD.<mailto:sniliaghin@iol.ie> To: IRL-GALWAY-L@rootsweb.com<mailto:IRL-GALWAY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2005 4:32 PM Subject: [GALWAY] A friend gone - Jim Donnellan <<<<A friend of mine died last Friday. His name was Jim Donnellan. James L.Donnellan to be exact from Fullerton, CA>>>>> <<<<Y'know what's really getting me here now - Jim was a net friend - he lives in another country - another world. In my own world, I can go to a funeral and say goodbye - in this internet world - I can't. The best I can hope for is that someone will tell me if someone I have come to care for passes away............. How can you mourn someone, know their gone, when you aren't there?!! I don't know.>>>> Jane Jim's URL http://www.ballyd.com/<http://www.ballyd.com/>