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• Since my return from Ireland, I've been asked about my trip. People are expecting to hear about the beautiful countryside, castles or maybe the lovely Irish accent, but when I say that I saw those things, but more importantly was able to share an insight into conflicts which have plagued the citizens of Ireland for centuries I receive a quizzical look. I tell them about your books, Cindy, and their relevance to the past and current ideologies and how our tour was designed to explore more than the touristy sights of the Emerald Isle. >>>> -- Denise, 19:24:08 10/07/09 Wed

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• (((cindy))) Absolutely your works have HUMONGOUS relevance at S&S, I'm sorry you were feeling unsure about that. Thank you so much for showing us N.Ireland. When it became apparent that I would have to choose only one week of the shindig to attend, it was an easy choice that it should be the first week, for the most unique opportunity to see the country from a perspective few "tourists" are fortunate to have. I have to ditto much of what Denise said above. People are so surprised when they ask where in Ireland we went...and I tell them! Justin was looking at my photos the other day and was particuarly looking at the gable-end murals and asking about the guns. I need to sit him down and try to explain the history, something my parents never did for me. (NT) -- PeggyB, 23:03:17 10/07/09 Wed
  • It is possible to earn a degree in the study of this folk art in Ireland, I've recently learned. I'm so glad they preserve it with love and diligence. (NT) -- E, 04:36:38 10/08/09 Thu
  • It's really my own fault, Peggy, I need to not stew about things and just be honest and upfront in as nice a way as possible, instead of thinking I know what the score is, when I honestly don't. I need to look after myself as a writer, and sometimes I don't do that and it has a really detrimental effect on my writing self. (NT) -- celtgirl, 07:51:00 10/08/09 Thu
    • I wish you would have expressed your concerns earlier, because we certainly would have squelched them! Of course your writing is relevant, and the time in Ireland made it ever more plainly (and emotionally) so. (NT) -- Denise, 11:21:42 10/08/09 Thu
      • I should maybe try to express my feelings on this a little better>>>> -- celtgirl, 12:11:15 10/08/09 Thu
        • Awww Cindy, this site wouldn't be here without you and your books. There may be people frequenting the site who have not read your books (the site has become popular as a friendly place to visit) but you and your 'babies' are the heart of the place! (NT) -- Denise, 21:27:00 10/08/09 Thu
        • You are absolutely what makes this more than just another social networking site. You're the lodestone around here, so don't you forget it!! (NT) -- FranS, 10:34:12 11/16/09 Mon

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• It absolutely brought your books and characters to life me Cindy, I feel so much more attached than I did previously and can see the places better. I also have a better understanding of all the groups etc involved. I would have like to see Donegal and Dingle, but that might have to wait for next time *g* I was very grateful to be able to ask what I wanted and not be made to feel dumb, so thatnk you for that. I am going to download the second set of discussions and have a read of them when time allows. (NT) -- Sheila, 00:04:21 10/08/09 Thu

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• XXX's and OOO's to a dear friend and brilliant author. (NT) -- E, 03:45:25 10/08/09 Thu

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• Our time in the North was very special to me, as well. Putting a true visual to the places and events you describe so vividly in the Books was a priceless experience for me. When people ask what the most memorable part of the trip was, I tell them it was standing in the Bloody Sunday Museum listening to a man describe the murder of his 17 year old brother just down the street and how his mother was in the apartment just across the way, and the death of a young typesetter just outside the doors on his grandparent's front steps. I know I will go back to Northern Ireland again, spend more time in Belfast (with any luck with Cindy), Derry and just exploring the countryside. The trip was made all the more meaningful and special for sharing it with Cindy, whose work has brought us all together, as well as with the other Shammies who "get it" when it comes not only to the Books but to The Troubles. (NT) -- Carla, 04:38:17 10/08/09 Thu
  • Girl, we have to do Madden's Bar together sometime. Kelly's Cellars was rough enough that it even gave me some pause. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:34:33 10/08/09 Thu
    • It didn't look so bad during the day, when Tracy was craving danger hahaha! I imagine it's a different story in the dark of night, tucked back in that alley like that >>>>>> -- Mahri, 18:45:26 10/08/09 Thu
      • It's very rough inside, but it's really more the clientele that was in there, there was this old man at the bar that absolutely put the shudders up my spine. It was very very rough in there, Maddens is better for music and it's rough enough for me- afterall they've had RPG rockets shot through the place in the past. (NT) -- celtgirl, 19:06:20 10/08/09 Thu
        • I know somebody that would insist we go to Kelly's Cellar. This guy craves danger more then White Bread. I could just see it now..... (NT) -- Noelle, 20:19:05 10/08/09 Thu
          • Hahaaaa! I have a pic but that's all I can share because what happened at Kelly's Cellar stays at Kelly's Cellar ;) Ohhhhh I was craving the danger! (NT) -- Tracy, 06:17:30 10/09/09 Fri
            • Tracy, I didn't even know you went there! You're a sneaky little roommate. (NT) -- E, 06:27:44 10/09/09 Fri
              • It was when we went off to find Bailey's aka Tracy's Baileys. (NT) -- Tracy, 07:53:37 10/09/09 Fri
            • LOL I put a picture inside above Tracy girl! (NT) -- Mahri, 06:28:35 10/09/09 Fri
              • I saw it! Remember walking down the alley with trepidation - it was so quiet and dangerous;) (NT) -- Tracy, 07:54:36 10/09/09 Fri
                • 'walking down the alley with trepidation...' you kill me, Tracy- and in broad daylight too, you are just so bwave my fwend!!!! (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:03:35 10/09/09 Fri
                  • Hahaha....broad daylight!! White Bread is so gangsta!! (NT) -- Noelle, 12:49:25 10/09/09 Fri
                    • I owe her for kicking Mickey's ass to the curb in Derry, I am so not gangsta. She really busted a cap that night. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:52:27 10/09/09 Fri
                      • Ya'll looked too pretty that night to be bustin caps and kickin men to the curb. (NT) -- Tracy, 13:20:25 10/09/09 Fri
                        • Aw, you are too sweet. You know that I had no desire to be kickin' the Canadian guy to the curb, but I am surely glad that you got rid of Mickey- I still shudder when I think about him singing to me, it went on forever, I swear. Speaking of pretty, I have such a great photo of you from the Ulster American Folk Park- when you're checking for rain out the half door, will send you a copy. (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:26:34 10/09/09 Fri
                          • Oh, send me a copy too, preeeezie!!! (NT) -- Noelle, 14:53:53 10/09/09 Fri

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• Walking & talking with you Cindy throughout Belfast was an experience I may never have again, so it was enriching & eye-opening in all the ways it matters to my heart & mind.Being able to experience Ireland with the Shammies who "get it" & know about the books was truly wonderful! I said quite a few times "Wow, this is where Pat marched", "OMG! This is where Casey stood", "Look! There's the hill & Jamie's mansion" so yes, the characters & the places are more alive to me & I have a deeper appreciation for Ireland, the people & history. I know you felt a disconnect but YOUR BOOKS are exactly why I am here & they should always be in the forefront on this site.It's a shame that not everyone has read your books because I think they are missing out on one hell of a story! You & the books are exactly why I wanted to go on the Shindig & had to choose a week & the first was the one for me because of your books and the places in them.I appreciate you & your gift.Thank you>>>>>>>>>> -- Tracy, 06:40:47 10/08/09 Thu

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• As I read your note and everyone's replies tears are streaming down my cheeks. I guess we all feel a certain amount of disconnect at one time with regards to a certain aspect of our lives. Ironic that we often discover it to be more pivitol than we ever realized. I'm not as eloquent as yourself or the other Shammies but I think you know just how much this trip meant to me and I'm not talking just about my family and visiting the south. So much was brought to life for me and made so tangible that it often made my heart ache. I can't imagine Ireland without you, your characters or fellow Shammies and I definitely will go back! (NT) -- CindyS, 10:43:12 10/08/09 Thu
  • Cindy it was wonderful watching you experience Ireland for the first time, and having great talks with you about it as well. I am so glad you decided to come on the trip, and was thrilled that you found new information about your family- it really ended the trip beautifully, I thought. (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:47:16 10/08/09 Thu

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• It was a huge honor to share Ireland with you girl, especially Northern Ireland. It's because of you and your books that most of us have the level of interest we do and some of the knowledge we have about the wee island and her history. So absolutely you and your books are a big part of this place. Like I said before, we didn't just decide to take a trip together and randomly pick Ireland *g* I had half expected to fall in love with Belfast but it was wee Derry that got me :-) Love Belfast too and the peace wall area really touched me, but I don't think we had enough 'walk about' time there...well not in the pertinent areas yea. I truly hope we can do this trip again someday and see more through your eyes. Thank You Cindy, for sharing your words with us :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 16:16:09 10/08/09 Thu
  • Derry did it for me, too, Marilyn, along with that memorial at Omagh. Although I did like Belfast very much. I kind of knew that Derry would grab me after having read a number of things about it, but I did not expect to feel what I felt at Omagh. I'd seen the film and had done some reading about it, but that memorial is amazing. (NT) -- E, 17:45:39 10/08/09 Thu
    • The memorial was very moving. I was feeling poorly and didn't get off the bus to take a picture of the heart/crystal...whatever it was that the light hits...I hope someone else got a good shot. (NT) -- Mahri, 18:26:28 10/08/09 Thu
      • I didn't get off the bus for that picture either; lots of pain that day. Can't remember if I already shared these sites or not. Here is a picture of the actual car that blew up. A disturbing photograph, taken moments before the explosion. The camera was found near the blast site, and no one knows what happened to the people in the photograph, although they are presumed dead. Click. And here's an explanation of the memorial: Click. (NT) -- E, 19:06:19 10/08/09 Thu
        • I got a good shot of it. I still have to get my photos either to you or try to load them myself! (NT) -- Denise, 21:30:06 10/08/09 Thu
  • Honestly, you need a few days in Belfast and to do the night life a bit to truly appreciate it. I always have the best conversations there and feel like I'm in withdrawal for a bit after I leave. I think it's also because Casey, Jamie, Pamela and Pat live and breathe on those streets for me and I know where various events happened as we go around. Clifford (musician friend in Belfast) said that it was really really amazing that Mick took us round the way he did last time, he said that simply isn't something offered to outsiders ever. (NT) -- celtgirl (), 19:12:00 10/08/09 Thu
    • It was your eyes - he fell under the spell. You know men can't resist your eyes. (NT) -- Noelle, 20:11:59 10/08/09 Thu
      • Her eyes and her red scarf!! (NT) -- Tracy, 06:19:04 10/09/09 Fri
        • Actually it was probably her hair :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 06:29:32 10/09/09 Fri
          • Yes, I was told afterall, in Ireland, that I have 'bed hair' when I protested that it wasn't that messy, he said 'I don't mean sleeping in the bed!'. (NT) -- celtgirl, 08:22:45 10/09/09 Fri
            • Wooo Wooooo! (NT) -- Tracy, 13:41:35 10/09/09 Fri

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• If it was NOT for you and your work NONE of us would be here!! It's because of you and your work we needed to find a safe place to discuss your work. Thankfully, Peggy took the reins and started Shamrock & Stones. I can understand why some might think it's an extension of LOL because so many of us started there BUT we came here for a place to discuss your books and all things Irish. I do think it's important that those that participate here at S&S at least know why we are here and our main purpose. Not that it's a prerequisite that they read your books but it would sure be nice if they did and know where we are all coming from. One of my biggest regrets in life is not going to Ireland on the Shammie Shindig and seeing Northern Ireland through your eyes. I do believe you and I will one day have that chance together. I need to go to Ireland and I know by next year you'll be getting the itch to go back. (well, I know you already have the itch but it will be even itchier). (NT) -- Noelle, 17:41:46 10/08/09 Thu
  • 'kay, I definitely need in on that trip!! (NT) -- Mahri, 18:34:59 10/08/09 Thu
    • Oh Oh I'm itchy can I go too? (NT) -- Tracy, 06:20:52 10/09/09 Fri
      • Wouldn't be the same without you girl :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 07:07:28 10/09/09 Fri
        • Awwww thanks *thumping chest with thumbs out* (NT) -- Tracy, 07:55:46 10/09/09 Fri
  • I always have the itch for Ireland and especially for Belfast. I don't know about Derry, it's a dangerous place for me, I'd be scared Mickey was still roaming the streets. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 19:04:58 10/08/09 Thu
  • Appears we're headed back (to Doolin, anyway) for October of 2011, after Larry retires. The session guys told Larry that was the best time to get in some serious music sessions without too many tourists around. Not sure if we'll make it up to N. Ireland, although L knows someone up in Co. Antrim who owns a pub and has asked him to visit, so who knows. Anyway, T. J. said he'd cut us a deal if we stayed in his cottage, which is very appealing. Of course, a lot can change between now and then, especially finances! (NT) -- E, 19:39:34 10/08/09 Thu

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• PUNT THE LEPRECHAUN to you CINDY!!!! (NT) -- Tracy, 07:56:47 10/09/09 Fri
  • Is that what just landed on my head? I just put him on my shoulder, hopefully he'll whisper pretty things for me to write down today. (NT) -- celtgirl, 08:06:07 10/09/09 Fri

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• Sorry I'm just now over here posting....I guess I can't say I shared NI with you, but I can tell from all that everyone shared with me during Week 2 that they were moved beyond belief by the experience and by what that did to their feeling about your books. You and your books are the reason for S&S and I am thankful that I found all of you. Hopefully I'll get to get in on that next trip to NI so I can see it for myself. *g* (NT) -- Lil, 18:28:03 10/09/09 Fri
  • Absolutely girl - and there needs to be a 'next' trip because I need to feel/see Belfast through Cindy's eyes :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 18:42:45 10/09/09 Fri