23 Dec 1998

From Peter Jordan
Wow. How come we all get so sentimental at Christmas?
I'm sitting here in London on the 23rd of December listening to RTE Radio on the net and reading the Castlebar webpage. There is nowhere in the world I'd rather be tonight and tomorrow but in Castlebar. Thank you sincerely. I was goin to say you don't know how much this page means to us immigrants BUT I think ye do otherwise ye wouldn'tput so much effort in to it too. God bless ye sincerely. It truly is the next best thing to being there. I can listen to the commercials like that brilliant Barry's Tea ad that "bates Banagher". I can hopefully hear Mo Cheol Tu on Christmas morning. I might even catch the last of Gaybo tomorrow morning but the craic and the Guinness and the faces won't really be the same here tomorrow. So thank you young kids of Castlebar for your "What Christmas means to me". I guess this is what Christmas means to me this year.
Nollaig shona dhiabh go leir mo chairde
Peter Jordan

24 Dec 1998
Tom Waldron
Hello and seasons greetings to all in Castlebar. It's 9.30 am eastern time in Franklin Mass, USA and unfortunately I am at work (until noon). Overnight we have had 6 inches of snow, and combined with the 20 degree tempratures it certainly feels like Christmas. Last year at this time I was warming a seat in either Johnny McHales or Rocky's. This year I will be spending Christmas in Mattapoisett, Mass, a small fishing village by the ocean overlooking Cape Cod. It is beautiful here, but lets face it, it's not CASTLEBAR. My phone is ringing so I have got to go now, but pass on my Christmas greetings to anyone who knows me, especially Pat Loftus and everyone in Rocky's (and of course all my family in Greenfields and Knockaphunta).A safe and peaceful Christmas to all in Castlebar.

25 Dec 1998
Bernard James Halligan
Christmas and New Year (1999) greetings to all the Castlebar folk wherever you are. I am in Canada and our weather has just cooled down to the point where we have had snow just in time to give us a white Christmas. It looked like we were going to have a green Christmas this year but ole man winter came through for us. I had an e-mail from my friend Brendan Munnelly from Castlebar and he informed me that the article I submitted to the Castlebar 1998 parish magazine has been printed. I am looking forward to reading it when I get my copy sent over to me by my brother Marty Halligan of #7 McHale Road. I would ask you to especially wish a great Christmas to my brother John Halligan and his dear wife Patsy who have just returned to live in Castlebar after spending 30 plus years in England. They have bought a home on McHale Road (#21). I wish them all the happiness in the world and I know that they are really excited at being BACK HOME in good Old Castlebar.
All the very best to all Castlebar Folk all over the world.
Bernard Halligan