What was known as the Geneva window was commissioned from the notable stained glass artist Harry Clarke in 1927, intended to represent Ireland at the International Labour Office in that city. It illustrates 14 extracts from 20th-century Irish literature. The Government, according to Fiana Griffin, writing in the current issue of Ireland of the Welcomes, rejected the window and requested the return of the £400 fee. A female nude, it was thought, would make it unsuitable to represent Ireland abroad. It was for long to be seen in the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery, but since 1985 is the property of the Mitchell Wolfson Jnr Institute in Miami. Harry's wife, Margaret (nee Crilly) was also an artist, said to be William Orpen's favourite pupil. And her son David, now back in Dublin, is also an artist. There are dazzling reproductions of his work, Crinniu na mBad, described as being based on "the annual gathering of fishing boats at Kinvara, Co Galway". You should look long at another of his works, reproduced here: it is The Yellow Bittern. The original poem, An Bunnan Buidhe, writes Fiana Griffin, has inspired many painters. This one is to feel grateful for. And there are more large reproductions, bursting with vigour, in this issue. A long piece about Dalkey, past and present. It is now described as a heritage town and has a heritage centre with curator in the restored castle in the main street - open from March to October. Shaw and Joyce are remembered, Myles too, for The Dalkey Archive, as are two writers in their home town, Hugh Leonard and Maeve Binchy.
There's an article on Cloyne and one on the amazing Ballyfin House, an 1826 mansion bought by the Patrician Brothers as a school, with much of the old grandeur retained. There's a new country diary by Jo Kerrigan, a touching piece entitled "A Wexford Retirement" and everywhere splendid illustrations. Then Christopher Moriarty on byways in South Sligo and Mary O'Sullivan on books. As we know, Bord Failte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board co-operate in many ways. Maybe one day they will give us a joint magazine. The present magazine does feature Northern items but a magazine brought out jointly would really be Ireland (all-Ireland) of the Welcomes. No offence intended.