ZELIENOPLE — Today, the Irish countryside is viewable from almost any home.

The pictures of pubs and stories of centuries past are broadcast on cable channels and Web sites touting trips and linking descendents to their ancestors.

But long before the Travel Channel and the Internet, trips to Ireland and other locales were possible without boarding a plane.

Travelogues, films that show people and places from around the world that are narrated by the filmmaker, have delivered exotic locales to theaters since the late 19th century.

In Zelienople, the films have entertained seniors and others for 20 years.

The Zelienople Rotary Club will continue the tradition when it shows "Ireland: Celtic Myths and Splendors" at 8 p.m. Friday at the Seneca Valley Intermediate High School auditorium.

The films, which give viewers extensive tours of the subject regions, go beyond typical stops while exploring the area's people and traditions, said Archie Simpson, former chairman of the Zelienople Rotary's travelogue committee.

"You get more of an in-depth picture,"he said.

But as cable networks and Web sites devoted to travel have increased, George Measel, the club's current travelogue committee chairman, said attendance at the events has decreased.

"That has hurt the travelogue," Measel said.

Also hurting attendance is inexpensive travel, which Measel said has made going to the once-exotic lands easier.But the films, he said, are a way for travelers to get a sneak peek at the places they want to visit.If not traveling, Measel said viewers of the two-hour films get to immerse themselves in places they may otherwise never get to see."It's amazing,"he said.This season, which starts Friday and runs through April, with a Christmas break, includes:• Nov. 17 — "In Search of Shangri-La"• February — "South by West (Desert Southwest)"• March — "Exploring Equatorial Realms: Africa, Central and South America"• April — "Hawaii, the Pacific Paradise.""We have a pretty exciting program," Simpson said.The cost for the films, $6 for adults or $20 for the entire season, is a small price for trips around the world, Simpson said."You can't go to the movies for that kind of money,"Simpson said.A family season pass costs $35.Even with the declining attendance, Simpson said the films still attract between 130 and 140 people each month.Many of those people are seniors from Passavant Retirement Community in Zelienople, Simpson said, who ride a $1 shuttle to the high school for the films.Simpson, the longtime planner who still has a hand in setting up the showings each year, said the former fundraiser now typically costs more than is raised.In fact, very few organizations, including the Grove City Kiwanis Club, continue to show the films.But despite that and the drop in attendance, Simpson said the club has never considered cutting the films, which draw people from as far as New Wilmington and New Castle because of their scarcity."It's really a community service,"he said.For more information, call 724-452-5619.

<B>WHAT:</B> "Ireland: Celtic Myths and Splendors" travel film<B>WHEN:</B> 8 p.m. Friday<B>WHERE:</B> Seneca Valley Intermediate auditorium<B>COST:</B> $6 per film or $20 for the entire season for adults. Children under 12 are admitted free. A family season pass is $35.<B>INFO:</B> Call 724-452-5619

Long before extensive travel was possible for most Americans, travelogues introduced viewers to people and places around the world without leaving town. While the films are becoming scarce in the modern world, some do still exist. The Zelienople Rotary Club will launch its travelogue season with "Ireland: Celtic Myths and Splendors" on Friday. Viewers will visit the cities of Ireland, above, such as Belfast and Dublin, and will explore the splendors of the Celtic countryside, top.