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From: "Jean R." <>
Subject: [TRANSCRIPTIONS-EIRE] More Recent Trips to Ireland
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:56:23 -0800


SNIPPET: In the May-June 2004 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes"
magazine readers shared some comments about Ireland:

Ken TIPPETTE, Davidson, NC, wrote: "Patrick POWER's article 'Cycling Days,'
which you featured in the Sept-October 2003 issue of IOTW, about the once
widespread use of the bicycle in Ireland, shed light on a marvellous, but
all too often overlooked, means of transportation. A few years ago, I
brought my bicycle with me on a trip to Ireland. When I arrived at Shannon
airport, I had no plan of where I wanted to go, but I set off with a
guidebook, a map and the few essential items which I needed packed on my
bike. For ten days I pedalled around the Irish countryside, allowing my whim
to determine my daily destination. A partial list of the wonderful places I
visited includes Ennis, Galway, Cong, Knock, Sligo, Westport, Clifden and
Doolin. I saw the majesty of the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Croagh
Patrick, Connemara and the Aran Islands. The open nature of bicycle travel
exposed me to the country in a way that most visitors do not experience. I
felt the Irish mist, smelled! the scents along the rural lanes and heard the
soft roadside sounds of nature. But, perhaps, best of all, the bicycle gave
me access to the people of Ireland. Travelling by bike extends an open
invitation to anyone who wants to share a conversation and this proved its
worth in Ireland. Some of my most treasured Irish memories are the times I
spent with the people who showered me with hospitality. When I returned
home, I felt I had indeed visited the real Ireland."

Angie PURCELL, Pottsville, PA, shared: "I am a new subscriber and I was
delighted that my first issue contained an article on the Gaeltacht in
Muskerry, in Co. Cork. I am an Irish-American who is "rediscovering my
roots," so to speak. This quest for information about my ancestry has lead
me down a path of learning to speak Gaelige. It is no easy task to teach
yourself a foreign language, but your article inspired me to seek out
instruction here in the States and I am currently attending weekend classes
held by Daltai na Gaeilge. I am glad that your magazine considers that it is
important to promote the Irish language and an important piece of Irish
culture and history. Although Gaeilge may be declining in use, it is
wonderful to see that areas such as Muskerry are holding onto their heritage
and keeping the language alive for future generations. Gaeilge and other
areas of Irish culture are rapidly becoming of interest in the States.
Several schools and teachers such as Daltai na Gaeilge are offering courses
in Gaeilge, Irish step dancing and lessons on the bodhran. Not only did your
article inspire me to keep learning Irish, but it also pointed out areas of
the Gaeltacht that I will be visiting in my upcoming trip to Ireland in
2005. Go raibh maith agat for the inspiring article and promoting your
wonderful language." The editor pointed out that the maps of the Gaeltacht
areas published by Gael Saoire, featured in the Bits and Pieces section of
the Jan-Feb 2004 issue should be useful to her trip.

James M. McDOWELL, Quincy, IL, wrote: "For nearly two weeks during the
summer of 2001, my wife, I and our adult children and their spouses, nine of
us in total, toured Ireland. Ireland was everything we had hoped for and
even more. The Irish people were especially delightful. While visiting
friends, Gerard and Mary McGREAL, on their farm in Co. Mayo, we got our
first glimpse of Croagh Patrick. The Holy Mountain loomed majestically on
the horizon, to the west of their farm near Westport. The peak beckoned us,
and so, (apart from my wife, due to health reasons), we decided to scale the
mountain. Gerard McGREAL and his daughter Ann accompanied us as we began our
trek to the summit. The top half of Croagh Patrick was shrouded with fog.
The moist, cool weather was such a contrast to the searing heat which we
encounter back home during summer in IL. The climb to the top certainly
taxed our strength and energy, but, with determination, we prevailed and
eventually reached the summit. As residents of the flat IL prairie, the size
and elevation of Croagh Patrick was overwhelming. The emotional high which
we experienced was especially intense. The panoramic view of Co. Mayo and
the Atlantic Ocean was, for want of a better word, awesome! We experienced a
sense of achievement, wonder and fulfillment as we absorbed the splendour of
this Holy Mountain."

Katharine SLYFIELD, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, wrote: "Firstly, thank you
for the very interesting and informative article on the Skerries Mills
project. It provided readers with an excellent insight into the importance
of water and windmills in Irish history. Five minutes from my home, in
southern Ontario, Canada, in the village of Tyrone, is the Tyrone Mill. This
mill was built in 1846 by John GRAY and his son-in-law James McFEETERS. In
the 1840s, the little village was bursting with Irish and English immigrants
and the flour mill was the hub of the community. It was a very important and
necessary part of life in Tyrone, in its heyday it produced about fifty
barrels of flour on a daily basis. The original millstones were removed in
1890 and the mill was converted to a livestock feed storage building. The
feed was phased out in the 1950s and a sawmill was added. However, the flour
making operation was rebuilt in 1996 to coincide with the mill's 150th
anniversary. These days the mill is still being used as a sawmill,
specialising in sawing and apple cider. Locally produced goods, such as
cheese, honey and maple syrup are also sold here. It has even been part of
the set of locally filmed TV series. A very important part of southern
Ontario's history indeed, in a village with Irish connections."

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