I recently attended the Kingston Gathering and with all my relatives from far flung corners of the world in one room, it got me thinking about family.

Ballabuidhe has come and gone for another year, the weather was quite good and the town was a buzz with people despite the lack of anticipation this year.

THE sun is shining and the temperature is soaring and this can only mean one thing, exams.

SUMMER is almost here and while the weather may not be cooperating at the moment this has never stopped the optimism of the Irish before.

By small town standards Dunmanway has a very cosmopolitan population. Immigration to the town and surrounding areas began in the 1970s in particular from the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands.

What is it about St Patrick's Day that makes us all proud to be Irish?

Sam Maguire is the poster boy for Dunmanway in many ways, Irish republican, Gaelic footballer, legend.

DUNMANWAY: My Own Town

By Barbara Ross