Madam, - I was heartened to read (December 15th) that the Central Bank intends to issue coins commemorating Ireland's Celtic heritage. I had begun to fear that the Celts were only an illusion, since they never invaded Ireland (Paul Gillespie, July 29th), failed to contribute to Frank McNally's DNA (August 9th) and were totally exploded by Bob Quinn (August 26th).
My faith, in every sense, was further shaken when Dr Mullaney, a Canon Law expert, included Ireland among the Anglo-Saxon countries (December 14th). But all is now well: two coins dated 2007 will prove our Celticity beyond doubt.
Of course, numismatic evidence is not infallible. Take the Edward II silver penny found by the National Roads Authority, and said to have been minted in 1302. Considering that that king didn't reach the throne until 1307, I think we must assume that the mint had an employee who could foretell the future. Who else but a Celt? - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL DRURY,
Brussels,
Belgium