Guest Author - Tracey

Vandalised tree shows signs of life
The fairy bush at Latoon which caused the diversion of the Newmarket-on-Fergus bypass,and had all its branches removed last summer has now sprouted new leaves. The whitethorn bush had a protective fence put round it when the new road was built, but the vandal used a chain saw to reduce the tree to a stump. It was folklorist Eddie Lenihan who first campaigned to save the tree, arguing that it was a meeting point for fairies from Kerry en route to do battle with their Connacht counterparts. He also told the authorities that a curse would be put on the roadway if the whitethorn were to be cut down.


Ancient wreck found in Kinsale
A eighteenth century shipwreck has been found during a dredging operation for the extension to the Yacht Club marina in Kinsale. Measuring between fifteen and twenty metres, the vessel is at present resting in silt across two of the proposed berthing pools. The yacht club has since decided to leave it in situ and to amend the plans for the extension to accommodate it. The timbers showing above the silt are in a preserved state and show that the vessel was constructed using wooden dowels.


Everest climbers back home
Lord Mayor of Cork John Kelleher led a large crowd at Cork Airport on Wednesday to welcome home the six-member Everest team, two of whose members reached the summit on May 23. The two who reached the top were Mick Murphy from Cork and Ger McDonnell from Limerick.


Hillary Clinton loves Ireland
According to Ireland's Independent, Ireland was Hillary Clinton's favorite foreign destination while she was First Lady. The report says that Senator Clinton recounts in her memoir, "Living History", that her Irish visits brought her the most happiness during the time of the controversy over President Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky.


Galway Arts Festival announced
The 2003 Galway Arts Festival has been announced. This year's festival, will take place from July 15 to July 27, and will feature the world premiere of "The Drunkard", a new play by Tom Murphy. Events will include an outdoor production in the grounds of NUI, Galway, by Macnas, and a performance by Barabbas of "Hurl", a play about immigrants who take up hurling. Musical acts will include Máiréad Ni Mhaonaigh, The Waterboys, The Proclaimers, Ron Sexsmith, Arty McGlynn, Erin McKeown, Maria Doyle Kennedy and Nina Hynes. Galway Arts.


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