I have just returned from my home town, Cork City, Ireland. A flying visit as I only stayed four days and they wens so quickly. The trip was a mix of business, family and of course pleasure with a couple of pints. I went to see my brothers and sisters and of course lots of friends. But the first question out of their mouths was always, when am I going back!

The Celtic Tiger seems to be still roaring because construction and road paving are going on all over the place which is always a good sign of a healthy economy.

As I said in my last letter we are now celebrating our 4th year in business and I am very excited about it because I feel this is going to be a great year for the magazine. This is our March issue and as you all know we have the biggest celebration in our calendar, Saint Patrick's Day and all the festivities that go with it. The different events somehow last for the entire month of March. I love it.

Back to the business of this issue of the magazine. We have lots of features for your enjoyment and that's a promise. Our lead story is The Roots of Irish Boxing written by the colorful sports writer and TV personality Bert Randolph Sugar. What a scoop it is to have him write for us, the man really knows his boxing history. We also have the story of Girls and Boys Town, started by the great Fr. Flanagan fEom County Roscommon way back in 1917. We have features on the Smurfit School of Business in Dublin plus some great Irish artist's and lot's more for your enjoyment.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the magazine from the beginning, our advertisers, sponsors, subscribers, distributors, and most of all you the public.

Congratulations again to the New York Parade Grand Marshal James G. O' Conner, Ford Motor Company Vice President.

Beannachtai Na Feile Padraig Agaibh Go Leir.

Best regards,

Paddy McCarthy, Publisher