March 2003 Edition

Unexpected Christmas Present for RCB Library
Last September Michael and Betsy Doyle from Arlington, Texas, visited the Library to undertake some research into their family. They were typical of many of the American visitors who find their way to Braemor Park—pleasant and outgoing, polite and well mannered, but clearly birds of passage. We did not expect to see them again, nor did we, but in December an unusually shaped package with American stamps was delivered to the 
Library. It included a photograph of Michael and Betsy (above) and a note:


To all the nice people at RCB who helped us with our research. We thought you could use the pencils.

Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. 

Betsy and Michael Doyle

The unusually shaped package contained 90 elegant pencils: black, with grey erasers and with the legend blocked in gold "RCB Library Dublin". As one cynical but perceptive researcher remarked "These will become collectors items and so should read, 'Stolen from the RCB Library Dublin'!"

Ray Refaussé
RCB Library

 
back to March 2003 index