Great Photos Bit.  We at Wild Geese love it when you share.  I see one of a Rag Tree.  When was your trip?  Belinda :)

Bit, how did you come to discover your passion for Ireland?

BIt,

Would love to do a quick q & a with you in the chatroom. Tell me when  you are available.

Maryann Tracy

Ocooch Mountain Acres LLC, near Westby, WI.

There you go.....!!!  :) 

That would be the name of his farm (aka ranch in AZ), in Westby. No wonder I had never heard of this "mountain range". LOL

Mari :)

Hi Bit

I would be delighted to accept your friend request. Please guide me wrt how it works - similar to Face Book? 

Warmest regards

Rose Maurer

Hello Bit

My name is Sean Hood I am the Historian for Div 17 Long Beach NY.

Hi Bit - The picture you are using, is it your parents? grandparents? It's wonderful!

Go raibh maith agat a Bhit.

Bit, sorry it took me so long to respond. A variety of things occupied my life in the last several months. Will start following Wild Geese more closely.

come to lisdoonvarna sept 16  one week of great craic..dancing....inhaling the fresh air and maybe fall in LOVE ..if you have a LOVE spend the week loving eachother...:)

Thanks, I hope to be there or be square. I Love Ireland. My family is from Cork. Soon, I will spend my life there forever and for ever, amen! Robert says Peace & Love To You

Hello Bit, sir! Thanks for befriending me. I want to emigrate from this corrupted country and move to the country whence my family once came. Cork is my new home. I will be there asap or sooner... as soon as my new book gets finalized into contract. Thanks again. I look forward to seeing you in real life.

Robert

Thanks for the welcome Bit.  Don't know too much about history but I might provide some thoughts on music if that suits.  Looks like a great community here.  Glad to be a part of it.  Tony

Go raibh mile maith agat, a Bit! If you're a writer, too, I'd like to know about what you're creating! Pat McA

Wow, Bit, that's quite a compilation of creativity! It wasn't until I retired from my job a few years ago that I've settled into writing seriously. My first novel, Out of the Mist is ready for shopping around. The second (#2 in the series), Alice of the Angels, is through second draft and needing a thorough polish and tweaking. My novel which will use a renovated Madeleine Laundry for the setting is mostly in my head and in note form after all the research. I've wanted to write a story with a ghost character and if the M. laundries aren't haunted, I don't know what is! I'm interested in hearing your point of view on the laundries or what you know about it being a loaded topic.I write fiction and don't want to be considered as opinionated or judgmental (at least in the book).

Bit,

Sorry for the delay in friending you.  Although your email came to me, it was intended for the Irish Cultural Society.  It seems I am both myself and the ICS.  I hope I can adjust to a Jekyll and Hyde existence.  Stay well.

John Walsh

Thanks Bit for adding me! I've been on your email newsletter list and following you on facebook, for some time now. My main interest is genealogy and Irish history. I got so hooked on it that I studied to become a professional genealogist! I'm based in Dublin. I saw your post about 'brick walls'. If I can help any of your followers I'd be happy to. I have loads of free advice and tips on my website www.hiberniaroots.com or on my facebook page: www.facebook.com/hiberniaroots. I'd be happy to answer anyone's questions also.

Bit, You are  certainly more computer savvy than I am.  We are friends twice over, thanks to you.  I wanted to "friend" you but couldn't figure out how to do it.

Stay well,  John Walsh

Thanks, Bit!

My story starts back in the 90's when I became curious about my heritage which I knew nothing about.  I read a book on Irish history and was stunned to find that it spanned more than 2,000 years!!  

I decided if I want to really learn about the culture I would have to learn the language which I have.  I founded my language school The Irish Gaelic Circle of Connecticut and currently teach Beginner's through Intermediate classes for the past 15 years. Some classes are held at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center and others are on Skype.  

My contact info is www.irishgaeliccircle.blogspot.com and Facebook. 

I am looking forward to working with the Wild Geese.

John

Thank You. My McQuaid's came to Monson Massachusetts from Tummery, Dromore Tyrone in 1880. They survived the famine, but not the Land Wars. My other Tyrone lines are Barrett, McCourt and Gallagher. My Great Grandfather married in the US, to a Moriarty from Blennerville, Annagh, Kerry. My other Kerry lines are Griffin, Crowley and Craiggue (Craig). My Grandfather married a Lynch. They arrived in England before the 1851 census and came to Massachusetts in the 1870's. My GGrandfather Lynch married a Flynn. They went to Scotland before 1851 and came to Massachusetts in the late 1880's. I don't know where the Lynch's & Flynn's come from in Ireland. I also have Malone, Collins and O'Day lines that show up as maiden names on GG... Grandmother's death records. I have a Family history Blog; http://forgottenjourneys.blogspot.com/. I went to Ireland last year for two week. The tea was on and five car loads of cousins came to meet us at the Homestead, in the picture.