Thanks for the suggestions. I don't know why it is that suggestions from individuals, even ones I have never met, seem so personal but you all are helping us to put together a list.

Greycap - Since it is likely that we will get to Cork, the Lobby Bar is a useful ssuggestion.

Greg Stephens - If we get to the Lobby Bar, we'll go next door to Charley's, too. My wife, who has been to Ireland once before, was particularly fond of Waterford so we may be near Ring. We'll keep it in mind.

Mickey 191 - Years ago, I read The Ginger Man by Donleavy. I am looking forward to seeing the locales described in the book. Never have read Finnegan's Wake, though. Maybe this would be a good time to do it.

Chord Strangler - We've already arranged to be in Dublin the night of the 16th but I certainly appreciate the invitation and wish you well. I'm sorry we'll be missing the celebration of your new CD. Good luck!

Bill Kennedy - your suggestion of how I can learn about sessions leads me to ask a basic question. What are sessions? Okay, I know what they are but what I really want to know is whether they are what we would call hoots or are they performances by "regulars"? Probably, it varies by site but I thought I would ask anyway.

Martin Ryan - Thanks for the lead about Mayes Pub. You mentioned "earlier threads". What threads are those? I used to spend a lot of time on Mudcat but I have gotten so wrapped up in my work that I have had little time to spend here although I have missed it. Anyway, I didn't see the earlier threads. As for St. Patrick's Day being messy - hell, I'm from Boston. I have seen messy St. Patrick days!!

Millwall - You've given me another reason to visit Dingle.

Mac - We are going to have to decide how much of N. Ireland we will see. My Bavarian bride is not very enthusiastic about Northern Ireland. I don't think she has any particular reason for this, though.

Raffles - Yes, well, thanks. And if you come to my area, I'll have some good advice for you to help you feel at home here.

Guest - "fleadh of Drumcree, Derry and Sam". Perhaps you could translate. I can trade you phrases in Creole French or Surinamese Talky-Talky for the meaning of your sentence. Maybe I should have made it more clear. I am not Irish. I do not have Irish roots. My knowledge of Gaelic is non-existent. I love traditional American music and so Irish ballads, reels, etc are of special interest to me. So much of the energy and the nostalgic tone of American country music seems rooted in Ireland.

Fiolar - I've been across the US more than a dozen times by motorcycle.Each time, I have looked at maps as I traveled and headed for places that appear in songs, just for the hell of it, to have a reasont o take a particular road. It's taken me to places I might never have seen otherwise, Big Rock Candy Mt. UT; lots of Red River Valleys; Lynchburg, VA; across the wide Missouri; Clinch Mt.; the Banks of the Ohio; from the redwood forests to the Gulf Stream waters, California and the New York Island - you get the idea. Looking at a map of Ireland, I can see that it would be difficult to travel 30 miles in any direction without coming across a place featured in a song. I'm going to enjoy that.

Guest - WHat a terrific list of resources you provided. It will take me a while to take advantage of it. It looks great. One of them I had seen already, the live camera on O'Connell St. It is fun to "look in" and see the weather, the traffic, etc.

Alan S. - GOod to hear from you. It's been a long time! What I would hope for more than anythijng else is to stumble into an Irish hoot of the type that we knew so well. That kind of informality, good friends and good music and welcoming to outsiders is what I hope to find.

Once again, it was a pleasure, and well worth the 3,000 mile ride to come to the hoot in June. It also gave me the chance to tell John Cohen to his face how much pleasure I have gotten from the New Lost City Ramblers and to let him know that I have been able to share some of that with others. When I sat down in the circle with him, I didn't recopgnize him but as soon as he started to sing, I recognized him. Also, so many others were there -it was a very special evening. Thanks for making it possible.

To all - My wife was amazed by the amount and quality of the suggestions. For her and for me, I think you.

SOurdough