Sir, – Geraldine Coburn makes a good point (May 15th) about the lack of facilities open at weekends. To the National Museum could be added many other museums, public libraries, etc, in towns and villages across Ireland. Why are they closed at just the times people are more likely to use them? My local library, for example, is open only when I am at work – and closed Saturday and Sunday when I would like to visit it.
While I respect the right of workers to their days off, the facilities are public property, paid for by all taxpayers. I wonder if volunteers could be found to man them at the times salaried workers are not available? There are many retired or unemployed, skilled and/or interested, who might be delighted with a little “community service” in an area that interests them for a few hours, on rota, at evenings or weekends, even though they might not offer all the services trained employees do. Volunteers work in houses and gardens of the National Trust in the UK without incident. Dedication and enthusiasm don’t always require payment. – Yours, etc,
JOHN COLLINS,
Skeoughvosteen,
Co Kilkenny.