I forgot to relate a tale that happened to me some years back. We were stopping in Finugue, just outside Listowel and the birthplace of Sean McCarthy. We were lucky enough to be there during a McCarthy celebration and I was priveleged enough to meet his wife who remained in Finugue after Seans death.

Anyhow, during the festivities which were excelent there were many Republican ballads sung and I laughed as much as the rest when an old chap releted a story about the priest not forgiving one of the boys because he shot a 'tan - Missing the other two! Fantastic atmosphere all night and it was, believe it or not, a 'dry' venue. Although I did notice a few popping across to the pub occasionaly:-)

A couple of nights later I popped into town and saw a band performing in one of the bars. Not too good musicaly but keen and again a few republican songs were sung. I never once felt threatened or intimidated by them. Later that night though the Listowel branch of the Chelsea supporters club came in to drown their sorrows after having lost to Manchester United. Now that was scary.

Guess what? When asked I lied about coming from Manchester:-D

Cheers

DtG