Madam, - Past histories of modern Ireland may indeed have been too insular in their terms of reference, but Desmond Fennell (June 11th) is simply wrong in his criticisms of the current generation of Irish historians.
For the record, in recent years there have been at least three publications devoted to the theme of Ireland and the British empire. Missionary history is now a mainstream field of interest (thanks in part to the Missionary History Project, based in NUI Maynooth). And earlier this month an international symposium held in NUI Galway examined the historic links and parallels between Ireland and India.
On the broader front, a north-south Association of African Studies in Ireland was established four years ago; one of its aims is to encourage research on Ireland's past involvement in and influences on Africa. And in this department, where African history has long been taught (to be joined next October by courses in Indian history), research on the complex and ambiguous role of Ireland in the decline of empire is one of our priorities. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID DICKSON, Department of Modern History, Trinity College, Dublin 2.