That's a tough eight hours you did Fibula. Is the Ulster Way the route they follow (mostly along the wall) on the Mourne Walk? In fact does the Mourne Walk still happen? Last time I heard of it there was concern about the environmental impact. Anyway, glad the sun shone. You could go out on the Mournes ten or twenty times and not get a day like that.

Constructive post, Phillipa, and I'm with you too, Quincy (Yvonne).I agree about the songs and I agree about Conrad - I too have yet to see the side of him that's earned him his reputation. Good links too - the second was quite thought provoking. Normally there would be a rush of gallant Mudcatters to repair a broken link - I'll not read too much into the slow response this time *BG* but here's that second link again, this time as a blue clicky I hope: Celtic Minstrels and Orange Songsters by David Cooper (Leeds University)

Forgot to say Amergin, you're quite right about "Fionn" - what's lost in the Celtic mists is why I brought my nickname into this forum.