Maurie I have to ask *Pure Irish from Wicklow"? I love it but what is Pure Irish from Wicklow ? does this mean your family were gardeners, as Wicklow is the County for Gardens or does it mean your family never stepped in or out of Wicklow whilst marrying etc? I got to know this cos my other half is pure Irish Arklow Wicklow, and your spin on the statement may hold the clue to me unravelling what makes him tick tock.............. Ahh I am smiling here And I also question the Irish or even Scottish or Gaelic naming pattern, cos I can assure you what I think they were named was changed at Baptism, so if you want an Edward, John or Michael a dash of Patrick and a thousand Dorothy's let me adopt you into the Toole line and then to make it just as hard they named all the Byrnes lines the same as well...........you are more than welcome. I once read on this list where a lister said Terence Byrne now that has to be a rare one, oh dear if only that was true. All naming is questionable- the priest was given a list of names to encourage his congregation to use, and if a child was born close to a saints birthday and I might add their is saints birthday almost every day in Ireland- they were named for that as well so if you are going to use this Irish pattern of birth naming you better have enough family members left to use the name- Ahh I am lucky for indeed my own name is passed down through our family for years, I even have a house named after me, and then whilst in Wexford I found another named after me so there you have it- Perhaps our family is just wee bit different we were named after ancestors and houses. And I am feeling good today must be all those prayers and good wishes thanks to all who sent me one.........or just simply said a prayer.........not better just feeling good today. Cara

Now, come on, Cara .. I did put the word in '...'. And one of the grand-daughters did become Mother General of the religious order she entered. He married a Murphy AND his mother was Mary Bryne/s. How more Irish can you get? It seems to me that, to some people, the Irish naming tradition is "writ in stone" and applies to all families in Ireland, regardless of their roots. If only .. Being named after a house is an interesting concept. There's a house near me called The Crumbles. Think it suits me to a T. Have you heard of a book called McCarthy's Bars - a sort of travelogue of Ireland with the focus on the numerous bars/hotels by that name. My younger son, who had read the book, went to Ireland a few years ago - his mission to find as many Thady's Bars as possible. I suppose he might like to have been called after a bar, but more likely he wanted to show his piccies and tell people the bars were named after him. And no chance of a bit of family history research on the side - But they're all dead, Mum! My very best wishes for 2009, Cara. May you have more and more 'feeling good' days. Regards Barbara

Hey Cara 'Pure Irish' is a bottle of Jamieson Millenium Irish Whiskey which could cost up to €300 ! An expensive tipple ! Will keep a whacker for you next time ure in Dublin. Glad to hear your good today and getting better. Cheers..........Golding