Galway: Music-making "pixies" bearing declarations of love took to the streets of Galway yesterday to campaign against war on Iraq.
The group of nymphs, satyrs, cherubs, mermaids, barmaids, boggles, deserting Valkyries, sylkies, fairies, hobbits and elves invited Galwegians to join in their Valentine's Day parade cum weapons inspection tour.
The group began with a circuit of the college campus before heading for Mill Street Garda station and McDonald's restaurant in Shop Street.
Mr Rab Fulton, of Pixies for Peace, said the group was deeply concerned that the Government's use of troops at Shannon would "further promote hatred, division and bloodshed in the world".
It would also compromise Irish security by making the population "active participants in an imperial war" and it would put the Army in danger when serving on peacekeeping missions.
"Our soldiers will no longer be seen as neutral peacekeepers but as allies of US/British military interests," Mr Fulton said.
Members of the group handed out leaflets in support of today's anti-war demonstration in Dublin.
A strong western presence is anticipated at the parade and Galway artist Páraic Breathnach has designed an oil drum set and banners for the Galway Alliance Against War, which has organised several buses to the capital.
Buses to Dublin have also been arranged by the Labour Party, Sinn Féin, the trade unions and NUI Galway students, while Green Party members and some trade unionists are travelling by train.
Carol Duffy writes from Waterford: The owner of a religious goods shop in Co Waterford will today host a marathon rosary session for peace.
Ms Peggy O'Brien, of Lower Main Street, Dungarvan, said that the prayer session was designed to facilitate those opposed to war who cannot attend anti-war marches in Dublin and Waterford.
The rosary will be recited continually from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., with passers-by being asked in to pray for peace.
Ms O'Brien said that she was totally opposed to war in Iraq. "All the young people are going to be wiped out. It's very, very sad and breaks my heart. Prayer and prayer and more prayer is the only thing that will help us now."