Hello! I just got back from Ireland. Touching down in Shannon, the landscape seemed more beautiful than ever before. An enchanted air lingered throughout the whole trip, I think it was because I could, for the first time, see my homeland through the eyes of my two children, Christina and James.

    We stayed our first night in Bunratty, Co. Clare. The kids loved their first castle, and from there I knew that Blarney, in Cork, would take their breath away. I also had to show the family some of Co. Kerry, a place I informed them was, despite the natives, the second best county in Ireland. The beauty and quaint charm of Ballybunion was a source of much pleasure (I especially enjoyed the view from the golf course!)

    When we got inside the Rebel's County's boundaries, we set up camp in Jury's Hotel under the care of Joe Ford; the city center was but a stones throw from here, and so too were many of my old musical haunts. I caught up with some dear friends - the infamous Coughlan brothers, John and Peter, who were old neighbors of mine from our family's Tower Street days. I remember "Peter Pie" well, as he was called, from my youth and over the years in his continuing contributions to the Irish Examiner and Evening Echo. I'lltry to persuade him to write a piece for Irish Connections, but I know I can't ask him on a Thursday - that's his shopping day.

    I managed to meet with other friends for a quiet pint such as Jim Casey, Jim McKeon, Fergus McNeill, Tony Creed and the local legend Miah Dennehy (the only man to score a hat trick in a FAI cup final when he played soccer for Cork Hibernans). Some of the old haunts included O'Flaherty's, Billy Morgan's, and Pa Johnson's. Mingling with old musicians - Joe Mac, Tony Burke and Noel Barrett - in the latter's public house led to a singalong begun by Terry McCarthy who played with me in the Sunset, one of the last bands I gigged with before I came across the pond in 1982.

    Over my numerous visits in the last 18 years I never saw the town I love, looking so busy and bustling. Traversing the medieval streets was a stopstart affair. My family was amazed by the sense of community on the streets and the fact that Corkmen never forget a native son. My wife Patricia, was flabbergasted by the way we got bogged down chatting to old friends the legnth and breadth of Patrick's street.

    I mad a pilgrimage with Patty and our kids to the house I spent my childhood in; a simple two bedroomed abode in Tower Street's James's Square. The kids couldn't believe that my seven brothers, two sisters and I shared one room, and that, rain or shine, all we had was one outside toilet!

    They were enchanted with their aunts, uncles and army of cousins, and played with them on the same streets that my siblings and I skinned our knees on. While the McCarthy brood and their newly found friends played outside well into dusk not believing the freedom they had on the streets of Cork. Joe, Bernard, Kieran, Kevin, Mary and Phillis still live in Cork and each of them made their home open to their brother and his family. Fortunately the kids were able to see their late Irish grandparents at our family's home(Nun's walk, Ballyphehane) during a visit in 92.

   Family reunions also brought me to East Cork. A charity dear to my heart is St. Raphael's Center in Youghal where they care for the mentally and physically challenged. Over the fortnight I spent some time with my brother John, a long term resident. On September 13th my annual golf fundraiser for St. Raphael's is being held at the Long Island Golf Club The Links where I try to offer support for welcoming my brother into their caring arms.

    My next door neighbors from Long Island came to visit for four days. We toured Kinsale Village and Charles Fort, an Elizibethan star fort on the village outskirts. The Blarney Stone beckoned to my guests and family , though I felt it wasn't necessary to pay lip service to it personally!

    This journey was but a two week vacation but the flight home had me thinking about the virtues of the people who framed my own life. My wife, children and our friends had the welcoming mat spread in front of them wherever they chose to tread. They felt the spirit of a people, warm in heart, who wanted to make Ireland comfortable, not just for those returning home but for those coming here for the first time. The craic continues into the millennium's first winter. My children were so overwhelmed with Ireland that they want to go back, a mantra I hear every morning! Live music is still as prominent and friendly faces abound. I'll never forget the joy on my children's faces as they made their own Irish Connections. I invite you to make your own.