Madam, - I visited Dublin the other day to view those much hyped monumental hare sculptures in O'Connell Street. They are certainly eye-catching and I suspect they make a lot more sense to most people than the spire. But I hope the sculptures could serve another purpose. Perhaps they might remind us that the animal so eloquently and ingeniously depicted by Barry Flanagan is one of the most wronged and persecuted creatures on this island.
It's a pity one of the sculptures wasn't installed right in front of the Dáil to remind the politicians that they have rejected every attempt to seek protection for Irish hares. The vote-conscious baby kissers voted for coursing every time. - Yours, etc,
JOHN FITZGERALD, Callan, Co Kilkenny.
Madam, - It was with some relief that I read in The Irish Times that the highly unattractive sculptures of hares in O'Connell Street are a temporary aberration. A question of hare today, gone tomorrow. - Yours, etc,
ROSEMARY GRAHAM, Muldowney Court, Malahide, Co Dublin.
Madam, - It's a pity Dublin City Gallery did not install the hare sculptures facing the sun. It would make for better viewing and more interesting holiday photographs. - Yours, etc,
TOM LAWLOR, (Photographer), Vernon Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3.
Madam, - The hares on O'Connell Street are great (if only temporary) - but when are we getting back the statue of the Sacred Heart? - Yours, etc,
CHRISTOPHER McCAMLEY, Newtown, Drogheda, Co Louth.