Sir, – We are fortunate to live in a democracy where all are reasonably free to express their opinions. Chris Fitzpatrick’s opinion is interesting if somewhat inconsistent in its views: certainly we almost all speak English as our first language but that is probably because the polity that ruled us from across the sea did its utmost to expunge Irish and the culture that surrounded it from this land (“There is a part of us that is forever England”, Opinion & Analysis, September 17th).
I lived and worked very happily in England for a number of years but practically never in that time did I hear an English person express the sort of affection for Ireland that Chris Fitzpatrick seems to feel for our neighbour; I am not sure that they were even aware of its existence as a separate state.
Indeed we should strive to cultivate good relations, as neighbours always should, but at an equal level and not as a cultural offshoot.
Queen Elizabeth’s visit was a marvel but sadly I am not sure how much attention was paid to it by her subjects, particularly in the light of the subsequent vote to cut themselves off from Europe and the damage that has done on this island.
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Closer to Birmingham? Would we really want to associate ourselves so deeply with such insularity? Let us be Irish and European and friends with England. – Yours, etc,
FRANK RAFTER,
Thurles,
Co Tipperary.