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From: "Jean R." <>
Subject: [Irish-in-UK] Other Past Trips to Ireland
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:43:09 -0700


SNIPPET: Readers of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine shared
their thoughts
on the Emerald Isle in the July-August 1999 issue:

J. V. COLHOUN, Bakewell, Derbyshire, England: "I have been getting your
magazine for some years to give me the combined pleasure of widening my
knowledge and appreciation of Ireland, its history and its people and
reminding me wistfully of places and peoples that I already know. My family
originally came from Malin Head, Co. Donegal, and in fact I am the first to
be born 'over the water.' In your March/April 1999 edition, I read with
interest the charming article on Lissadell. The GORE-BOOTH family are
distant relations through my father's mother. The article, no doubt
unintentionally, gave the impression that Constance MARKIEVICZ declined to
become the first woman MP at Westminster. It is however, worth emphasising
that at the General Election held on 14th December 1918, Constance stood as
a candidate in the St. Patrick division of Dublin for Sinn Fein against an
Irish Party opponent, William FIELD, who had held the constituency for 26
years, and an Independent, Alderman KELLY. Against her wildest dreams, and
those of her supporters, she won the seat by polling 7,835 votes and had a
majority of 3,781. She thus was the first woman to be elected to
Westminster, but because it was not Sinn Fein policy, she was unable to take
her seat and it was left to Lady ASTOR at a By-Election in 1919 to become
the first woman both to be elected to and take her seat at Westminster. That
was at a By-Election, however, caused by her husband's elevation to the
House of Lords. One should also remember that at the time of the election
Constance MARKIEVICZ was imprisoned in Holloway and, not being released from
there until 10th March 1919, she was clearly in no position to take her seat
at the opening of Parliament on the 11th February that year, even if she had
been both allowed to do so and wanted to. My last visit to Lissadell was
just prior to the death of Aideen GORE-BOOTH. The house ought to be treated
as a shrine by the Irish Government in view of its importance in the
political and cultural struggles at the beginning of the twentieth century."
(Editor replied, "Thank you for correcting M. M. HENDERSON's omission about
Constance MARKIEVICZ. Lissadell is open to the public (in Sligo) June to
mid-September.")

John Warren WHITE, Cheshire, CT: "My wife and I certainly enjoy your
magazine. I've not a drop of Irish blood by ancestry, but I'm deeply imbued
with the spirit of Ireland. I got my first real taste of Ireland in 1958, as
a 19-year-old college student, when I encountered James JOYCE's 'Ulysses.' I
went on to read all of JOYCE's works over the next few years. I was hooked
not only on JOYCE, but on the context from which such great literature
arose: Ireland herself. My wife, who is of Irish descent, brings Irish
culture into our household; we have all worn the green on St. Patrick's Day
for many years. When she and I finally toured Ireland in 1990, we enjoyed it
so much that we brought our four grown children with us the next time.
Recently, in a news item widely reported here in America, two different
literary organizations published their listings of the best 100 novels of
the 20th century. I was not surprised to see that JOYCE's 'Ulysses' topped
both listings. 'A Portrait of the Artist As A Young Man' was placed third on
one organization's list, with 'Finnegans Wake' much farther down the list. I
personally rate JOYCE as the greatest writer of all time."

Cheryl Mathis CARTER, Harrison, AR: "I just wanted to let you know how very
much I enjoy your magazine. For years, I've had a kindred feeling, and a
calling to visit Ireland. Now, as my 50th birthday rapidly approaches, I am
planning my first trip to your country. It's all very exciting. Also, I have
just received some information about my paternal ancestors, born in County
Tyrone, Ireland, in the early 1700s. So, now it's to the map to find Country
Tyrone, my trip plans must include a visit to my ancestors' birthplace."

Heather MARSTON, Hopewell, VA: "On a cold, rainy Sunday afternoon I was
catching up on my back issues of your wonderful magazine. It brought back so
many memories of my trips to Ireland. I had often said I was going to write
but never did. My first trip to Ireland was on a college work exchange in
1985. I fell in love with the country of my ancestors and vowed to return. I
joined in the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Dublin during
the city's Millennium in 1988 ... I didn't get back again until 1995.
When I met my husband, he had no desire to travel to Ireland ... After
returning from a week-long family vacation, we thought our next trip should
be just the two of us. I suggested Ireland and waited for his usual
response. But he said, 'OK, let's go,' the trip was on! Upon our arrival in
Shannon, I was airsick and our bags were still in New York. He was beginning
to doubt this trip. But after a rough start, he too, fell in love with
Ireland. I think it was his first true pub experience that did it. We were
at the Muskerry Arms in Blarney. He had his first Guinness and warmed to the
turf fire. This was the beginning of a wonderful two week and two thousand
mile adventure. There were so many memories, I could write a book!
We really need to go back some day. Until we do, we have your magazine to
remind us of what is waiting for us on our return.


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