Sir, – What a joy it is to see our national flag hoisted in celebration and waved in joy during the Paris Olympic Games. These demonstrations of collective belonging transcend county, provincial and even genetic origins, and reinforce the importance of connected identity and the role that sport plays in bringing each of us together in these days when we need that connected sense the most. Long may our national flag be the symbol of this connection. – Yours, etc,
DAVE O’SULLIVAN,
Athgarvan,
Co Kildare.
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Sir, – Our Taoiseach rightly condemns waving the tricolor at anti-Islamic riots in Belfast. We saw the same flags previously on show in Coolock. At this year’s Galway Film Fleadh two weeks ago, filmmaker Pat Collins (That They May Face the Rising Sun) highlighted that a united Ireland would be “a more complex Ireland, even more awkward” he added, “something to welcome”. Subsequently, Imelda May on RTÉ radio last week, in response to a question about the riots in Coolock and Dublin 1 from Oliver Callan, discussed her family’s Republican history. She detailed how her great grandmother “was all about love”, that she had “loved the people” and that is what Republicanism was actually about.
A republicanism which relishes complexity and is based upon love of the people. Now that is something to wave a flag over. – Yours, etc,
TOMMY WEIR,
Dromahaire,
Leitrim.
A chara, – One of the many positives that our Olympic successes have brought to our country is that we have reclaimed our tricolour.
To see our flag which represents tolerance and respect being hoisted at the Paris Olympics gives me such joy.
Contrast that with where our flag has been in the news so often lately. Unfortunately, our flag has no veto on where it is used or abused. Paris says Yes!! – Is mise,
PAT BURKE WALSH,
Gorey,
Co Wexford.
Sir, – On RTÉ News on Friday night, Clare McNamara said that when Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy won gold at rowing there was a “gallery of green, white and gold supporters”. Surely, orange. Ireland’s flag is orange, and Armagh is orange as is Daniel Wiffen. – Yours etc,
JOHN McKEOWN,
Waterford.