Perhaps you come across this magazine only when you are travelling by air to or from this country. If so, you are missing something. The current issue of Ireland of the Welcomes (May/June) contains some of the most stunning pictures you have seen for a long time, a brilliant article by Senator Norris on the Joyce Centre in 35 North Great George's Street, and several other first rate contributions.
To the pictures, Cormac Mac Connell introduces some of the work of a man whom he calls King of the Lens, and shows a selection of his work - he is Colman Doyle and every picture tells. Two of the most striking must be seascapes. In one, a thin line of mourners follow a coffin to a seaside cemetery in summer, black figures outlined against the blue sky, while a few bathers carry on with their pursuits. The sea, reflecting clouds, takes up the foreground. Another knock out sea picture shows a score of horses on a strand led by a mounted mane. A leading jockey once told Mac Connell that he always noted at which fence Doyle took up position. Something spectacular was bound to happen there. There is a picture of a horse flying, but not falling.
Did you know that for centuries sailors have dipped their sails when passing Saint Mac Dara's island off the Roundstond area? The Saint was a noted navigator. Colman Doyle has a crafty picture, showing through the slit of a window opening, a modern yacht executing the rite, red sails against deep blue sea. And many more of his usual high standard.
David Norris's painstaking and witty tracing of the history of the Joyce Centre, introduces several villains, chiefly Henry Moore, Earl of Drogheda to whom he ascribes "unpalatable arrogance" in writing his name across the map in Moore Street, Earl Street and Drogheda Street with an alley to provide the `of'. Number 35, by the mid 19th century, became a boarding school, then a ballroom dancing school, much favoured by the British Army in the period up to 1922.
At the same time Fianna Eireann used the top floor as a meeting place and the basement as an ammunition store, writes the Senator. On one occasion the Fianna were addressed by Eamon de Valera who `reportedly', according to the Senator, went disguised as a woman. Saor Eire held its first meeting.
Optimistic note: today, magnificent, plasterwork can be carried out in the best traditions of the 18th century artists. A long, worthy article. Good, too, to read Elizabeth Healy on Amanda McKittric Ros, the hilarious writing wife of the stationmaster of Larne. Larne and Amanda demand and other look.