Sir, - For many years Radio Eireann, at the commencement of daily programmes, announced the day, date and feast day, e.g. the Feast of Christ the King, the Assumption, St Brigid, St Columbanus, Ash Wednesday.
Now, however, when programmes start at 6 a.m. on RTE Radio 1, the day and date are given but not the feast day. The station carries an "On This Day" spot during Risin' Time at approximately 6.15 a.m. Among anniversaries announced on November 1st (All Saint's Day), was the birthday of Lyle Lovett, the pop singer/writer, and the anniversary of the death of L.S. Lowry, the English painter.
The director for Radio RTE, Ms Helen Shaw, has acknowledged in correspondence with me that in requesting the return of the feast days in the mornings I had a valid point.
It would be appropriate for RTE to restore the feast days commencing with this coming Advent, which begins on Sunday, November 28th, and leads directly to the great Jubilee of the year 2000 which celebrates the birth of Christ.
BBC Radio 4, which has an audience of approximately nine million and can be heard in most parts of Ireland, starts the day with "Prayer for the Day" immediately after the morning weather forecast.
RTE has shown recently that it will respond positively to valid requests. In my opinion, most listeners would welcome the acknowledgment by RTE Radio of the importance and status of feast days in the life of the majority of Irish people. - Yours, etc.,
John S. Phelan, Dromore Rise, Raheen, Limerick.