The reference to South Armagh as "bandit country" annoys me. The people from South Armagh don't like it, because the term was coined by a British cabinet minister, whose name escapes me at the moment. South Armagh is being used by the British military, as well as the U.N, the U.S. and the Canadians as a proving ground for various manoeuvres and tactics, mostly involving helicopter intimidation of the local folks. They wouldn't dream of practising on a village in Kent, or Sussex, or a village in Scotland or Wales. Other counties in the North have been getting grants from Britain and Europe for development and tourism, but when Armagh - an historically important part of Ireland- applies for financial aid or development assistance, they hear:"Armagh? That's Bandit Country. Sorry." That's why Tommy Makem has been trying to make his cultural/historical/ musical school a successful annual event there. And he resents the term "bandit-country," and will not use it in reference to his home.

My two cents' worth.

Seamus