Sir, – The way for some people to denote organisations or groups coming together from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, to represent the island of Ireland, has increasingly taken on a curious description, that is, “all-island”.
This term was used again for the recent all-Ireland (described as all-island) Choirs Festival which took place in Belfast and also in the announcement of the "All-Island Schools History Competition" (Cog Notes, November 25th).
Is this ridiculous trend going to continue?
Why are we so afraid to use the description “all-Ireland”? Are we afraid of offending certain sections of the Northern Ireland population?
Would these sections in Northern Ireland refuse to take part in these worthwhile and important activities, unless the description “all-island” is used?
Are we not all living on the island of Ireland, that is, all-Ireland? – Yours, etc, DAVE KAVANAGH Clontarf, Dublin 3.