Sir, – You report ("Home being built from shipping container to house family for Christmas", November 28th) that contractors and suppliers are donating materials to build what will be Ireland's first home in a shipping container. This is not strictly correct. Cork people were building holiday homes from timber shipping containers delivering material to the Ford factory in Cork back in the 50s and 60s. The "Ford boxes" homes were a common sight in seaside resorts like Myrtleville, Fountainstown and Youghal and I understand that some still survive. As ever, Cork people were ahead of the game. – Yours, etc, JOHN FINN Carrigtwohill, Co Cork