Madam, - I enjoyed reading Kevin Myers's tribute to the late Fedelma Cullen (An Irishman's Diary, November 26th), but I thought he was bit hard on Donal McCann.
I have been a regular theatre-goer for the past 25 years but the best performance I ever saw was by Donal McCann in The Steward of Christendom in the Gate Theatre in April 1996. He was absolutely superb as the old, bed-ridden policeman, reviewing the events of his long life, and richly deserved the standing ovation given him by the packed house that night.
While I acknowledge Mr Myers's entitlement to write about the private failings of this gifted actor, I think Donal McCann will be remembered for the pleasure he gave thousands of theatre-goers, rather than for his problems with alcohol, an all too Irish weakness. - Yours, etc.,
JOE PATTON, Hillcrest Walk, Lucan, Co Dublin.