G'day Big Tim,

I certainly found the book gripping reading. I have always kept an eye on the Irish songs that underlie a lot of Australian tradition, but your book has sent me of in all sorts of directions that haven't been suggested in books of rather more limited scope (and led to a few conversations with unsuspected Irish fellow passengers on my 'bus to work!).

I will squeeze in a review in the next issue of Mulga Wire (August 2003) with the reasoning that Australians have to understand something about the songs of all those Irish - and a broader understanding of why they ended up out here! As I usually offer my reviews to other Australian magazines, such as the new national magazine Trad&Now, I would be interested in what is the best link to suggest to anyone local to purchase from ... I presume direct to "Beyond the Pale"?

By the way ... I suspect that the song Sean South of Garryowen might be more accurate that your text ... at least, I think it more likely that RUC Sergeant Kenneth Cordner was "... raking the truck with Sten gun fire ...". It's a bit awkward deploying a Bren out of a second floor window ... but, if he was, it's likely the effect would have been far greater!

Regards,

Bob Bolton