Conference tallis::celt

    
    
    
    	Want me to drive them around the country ??	:=)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    	keVin

    They could probably use a driver, but I don't know if you would
    be my first choice, KeVin!  I like my parents and am not looking
    to inherit early!!
    
    Anyway, my father has somehow developed a strange habit of driving
    on the right side of the road.  I don't know how long it would
    take to overcome this difficulty.
    
    If it isn't possible....I suggest that they be issued a horse and
    carriage for the safety of those around them.
    
    By the way, from what I saw on my trip there are no traffic lights
    or laws for that matter in Eire.....in a hurry, but where are they
    going?????
    
    
    

Having spent part of my sinful ;-) life in Bray, Co Wicklow, I can
first of all heartily recommend it as a nice place.  A modest home
could be got probably for about IRP 28,000 where currently One Irish
Punt is worth about $1.60.  This would be a semi-detached (duplex)
house with 3 bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, sitting room etc.

Couple of points.  Bray is useful because the DART (Dublin Area
Rapid Transit) runs from there into Dublin.  This is an electric
train service which runs every 10 mins at rush hour and every 20-30
minutes the rest of the time.  Service is available from about 6.30 AM
to 11.30 PM Mon-Sat and during civilised hours on a Sunday.

As far as I know, there would be little problem with non-Irish
citizens purchasing homes in Ireland - God knows the country could
do with the funds.  Bear in mind that if they have Irish ancestors
within (I think) the previous 3 generations they can apply for Irish
citizenship.  The Irish passport _is_ the best in the world, definitely
worth having !!

I would think it would be possible to have someone look after the house
in their absence, just make sure they check out the people.  I have
relatives in Bray who could give pointers if reqd.
    
Local newspapers are:

		The Bray People    
		Main Street,
		Bray,
		County Wicklow.
		Ireland.

and The Wicklow People, which is probably available via the same address.

Good luck and have fun !


Bernard.

    
    A popular area for retired people is the south coast esp. Cork.
    
    _Dermot

    
    Thanks Bernard and Dermot....thanks for nothing KeVin!
    
    More questions, if you please:
    
    My father is currently trying to get Irish citizenship.  His
    grandfather was born in Leitrim.  While in Dublin, I stopped
    in the National Genealogical office to try and trace the tree
    to get the required birth certificate.  They were unable to 
    find him in their records, but suggested that I write to the
    Parish Priest and gave me an address.
    
    I'm just about to write, but I was wondering if it is appropriate
    to send some tolken along with the letter to thank him for his
    trouble.  Would this be a good/bad idea?  If so what should I send?
    
    Also,  if my parents did buy property and became ill/injured while
    in Ireland, are they entitled to any health care/insurance?
    
    I will send away for the newpapers you suggested.  They DART is
    also a good thing to keep in mind.  I saw it running along the
    coastline when I was somewhere near Dublin Bay/Joyce's tower(?)
    
    Thanks again.
    
    Jen
    

    A token is probably a good idea, as usually they have to spend
    a bit of time getting the documents out and searching them.

    Mind you, though, there are probably many many parishes in Leitrim
    and they usually hold records of only their own area.  So it's 
    a LOT easier if you know exactly which church.  I ran into
    a similar situation where one of my relatives was from Ballinasloe ->
    Ballinsloe postal district - which encompasses 17 parishes!

    -George

Jen,

You may already have read these, but notes 4.* and 268.* have some info
on getting birth certs for proof of citizenship.

As for sending a token.  Priests, especially those higher within the
Catholic hierarchy appreciate tokens.  However, as the appropriate golden
liquid is not _really_ mailable (;-)), I'd send a suitably sized note.
Seriously, if you're giving them vague information on which to base a search,
they'll be doing a lot to track down the precise details.
   
Re health care/insurance.  The main health insurance providers in Ireland,
apart from the State, is

		Voluntary Health Insurance
		VHI House
		Lr. Abbey Street
		Dublin 1.
		Ireland.

They have reciprocal arrangements with most BC/BS providers in the US
so you can transfer from the US provider to VHI.  Bear in mind health
care costs are _much_ lower, coverage for my family to semi-private
level was about IRP 250 per QUARTER, I'm paying more than that a month
over here.

If they only plan to be there for brief periods each year, they would
(I believe) be able to use holiday travel insurance to cover any
accidents.

    
    
    My wife and I met a very nice American couple in Kinsale (south
    of Cork town, on the bend of a river as it goes out to sea).
                
    They went there to retire.  They bought a beautiful home (mansion),
    filled it with Irish antiques and it's a great B&B.  They came from
    Miami, Florida.  Their names are The Gilmore's.  Very nice, outgoing
    couple.     
                
    They would be more than happy to share their experiences, I'm sure.
                
    You could send mail to:
                
    The Gilmore's
    Ardcarrig   
    Kinsale, County Cork
    IRELAND     
                
    Regards,    
    JO'R                                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

    Hello everybody,
    
    Sorry it took so long for me to respond.  I've been buried under
    a ton of paperwork  (anybody gotta match???).
    
    Anyway.
    
    Re:  .3  Thanks for the address for the Irish newspapers Bernard.
     I will send away and see what they have in the classified.  Also,
     they might give my folks some idea of what the cost of living is
     like.
    
    Re:  .6  George, the man at the Dublin office suggested that  I
    write directly to the following address   Leitrim Heritage Centre,
    Leitrim County Library, Bollinomore, Co Leitrim.  He said they are
    in the process of consolidating the various parish records.  I figure
    I'll start there and only go church-by-church if I have to.  I don't
    know how big an area Rossinver covers, but I'm sure it is big enough!
    
    Re:  .8  John, I'll drop the Gilmore's a note.  I'm sure they could
    share a LOT of experiences.  Moving from Florida to Ireland---talk
    about a change in climate and CULTURE!!!!
    
    
    Thanks again and I'll keep you all informed of any progress!
    
    Jen
    

    
    	Rossinver in north Leitrim is a very small place and you should
    have very little problems finding out what you want to know. The
    people there are very inquisitive.
    
    			Maurice