Knock Knock Knock The three knocks herald the approaching death among the lineal descendants of the chief of the Byrne Sept of Co Wicklow, who fought at the battle of Clontarf 1014, are heard even by members of the family long settled in Australia A John Byrne and his sister scoffed at this and cast aspersion on such a superstition, but as their father was dying they heard three knocks, and a housekeeper and two nurses in the same room did not hear them. The family legend is that St Lawrence O'Toole ( c 1130-80) whose mother was Margaret Byrne decreed that three knocks would be heard for evermore by members of the family who are near the dying relative, and only by them. Gives a whole new slant to DNA testing, just wait for the Knock, Knock, Knock. That Sounds Irish Sign by the river Shannon :- When this notice is under water it is unsafe to cross the river at this point. STERILITY is hereditary, if your parents and grandparents didn't have children, the chances are you won't either. Headlines in a newspaper "Passengers Hit By Cancelled trains. The nun with a price on her head Have you ever wondered about the people who are honoured on the older Irish currency The woman on a five punt note is Dublin born Catherine McAuley 1778-1841 who was orphaned at an early age. As main beneficiary when her wealthy foster parents died, she decided in 1827 to build a refuge for women and children in Lower Baggot Street Dublin. Later as a nun in the Presentation Convent Dublin, she founded the order of the Sisters of Mercy. The fear of a recurrence of the Great Famine in Ireland and the news of finding Gold in July 1851 in Victoria Australia prompted hundreds of Irish to come to Australia ( voluntarily) from August 1852. Although they were poor, they were proud, and as the left their homeland, this rhyme would ring in their ears for years to come. Write a letter now and then And send her all you can But don't forget where'er you roam That you're an Irishman. Cheers Cara