Sir, – I wonder if anyone else finds the notion of putting the descendants of the 1916 leaders on a proverbial pedestal ironic given that the 1916 leaders were fighting against the idea of hereditary monarchy?
I am not suggesting they should not be involved in the commemorations, but we should probably not give their views any extra special heed or have them telling the State how to commemorate the events.
My grandfather was a bricklayer but I couldn’t tell you how to build a wall! – Yours, etc,
DAN O’NEILL,
Ringsend,
Dublin 4.
Sir, – Arlene Foster has stated that, in relation to the Easter Rising of 1916, she will not "commemorate a violent attack on the United Kingdom" ("Foster accused of 'narrowness' over 1916 events", January 11th).
I assume she will adopt this principled stance if, as First Minister, she receives an invitation to July 4th celebrations in the United States, as American independence was achieved by violent attacks on the British forces in the then colonies. Indeed her secretarial staff would need to check all her future foreign engagements to ensure they do not coincide with the dates of the many commemorations held each year in countries that were former colonies of the British Empire and which achieved their independence through violent uprisings. Even some countries that have not yet achieved independence also engaged in violent rebellions, the closest example being Scotland where the Jacobite risings took place between 1688 and 1746 . And then there are the many indigenous peoples who revolted against the British including numerous North American Indian peoples and the Aboriginal people in Australia. – Yours, etc,
MARTIN MELAUGH,
Coleraine, Co Derry.
Sir, – Alan Moody (January 9th) is not alone in looking forward to ringing in 2017. I’d thought of emigrating for the year! – Yours, etc,
LILIAN WEBB,
Naas,
Co Kildare.