BRIAN FITZELLE,
Sir, - It was a surprise to read in Brian Maye's Irishman's Diary (March 21st) that the poet Aubrey de Vere was "born at Adare". He was born at his father's seat, Curragh Chase, near Askeaton, and if he was associated with any local village or town it is surely the latter.
Mr Maye could do worse than visit Curragh Chase demesne (now in public ownership) and see the fine ruin of the house, accidentally burnt down in 1941. It bears a plaque recording the connection with the de Vere father and son. With regard to the surname "de Vere", the family's "real" name was Hunt. The 2nd Baronet (Aubrey de Vere's father) convinced himself that his ancestress Jane Vere (Mrs Henry Hunt) was a co-heir of the mighty but extinct English family of de Vere, Earls of Oxford, and took the surname and arms of de Vere in lieu of Hunt. - Yours, etc.
BRIAN FITZELLE,
Cormorant Lodge,
St Katharine Docks,
London EI.