Homeward: 10th February 2006

This final despatch comes to you from my cabin aboard the overnight ferry which is now sailing serenely as it transports Clive Lubb and I back to England. I have had some time to reflect upon the whole trip, from the difficulties and delays which hampered us at the beginning, to the quiet moments yesterday which marked both the purpose, and the end of our sojourn. In all, this has been an illuminating voyage and one which I shall not soon forget.

Having enjoyed a leisurely lie-in this morning (in comparison to our recent early starts), and after a final look at Killaloe, much of this afternoon was spent on the road. With Clive navigating us back across to the East coast of Ireland, we did well enough to afford a little detour in order to pay a visit to one of Clive’s relatives who lives in Dun Laoghaire. I can say that Clive’s aunt, Enid Clarke is one of the most generous and entertaining hosts one could hope to spend an afternoon with. She took us in and quite literally would not let us leave without seeing that we were well fed and watered.

Enid has lived in this pretty harbour town all of her life and, after discovering my occupation as a writer and parapsychologist, she happily regaled me with a few local tales of the supernatural from Co. Dublin. She was certainly aware of Black River House, although when pressed further, her recollection was a little dim. Nonetheless It seems that Ireland is a land filled with legend and mystery and perhaps the strange history of the Black River is not as unique as I had thought?

After a very pleasant few hours, Clive and I were barely able to tear ourselves away from Enid's hospitality in order to make our way back to Dublin. The visit had taken us some nine or ten miles out of our way but was most definitely a worthy detour. We boarded the ferry a little after 9.00pm and I now look forward to a quiet celebration to mark our homecoming in the ships bar, (though the thought of the morning after is rather less enticing!) *

Before this voyage of remembrance began I had hoped to have prepared a neat, if not stirring conclusion to these dispatches. Sadly, after following the band’s last known footsteps I must admit that I find myself in rather too reflective a mood to attempt any such summation. Despite a sense of having achieved something, however small during this journey, we must not be distracted from our greater purpose. The disappearance, as a case, remains open, and a growing number of people are deeply saddened and troubled by the events of what I can scarcely believe is now a decade behind us.

Tomorrow I will return to my home and look forward to a night or two in my own bed before any more such escapades are planned. Before I sign off for the final time on this journey, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has lent their interest, opinions and support to this web site in its first year. From our American friend "Frndofyaweh" and his very compelling analysis of the EVP’s recorded at Black River House, to those who have enquired about the publication of my book, I thank you all deeply and would ask you sincerely to continue the search. No contribution is too small, no lead too insignificant.

* A comment included at Clive's insistence.

My Thanks and Very Best Wishes Once More ,