Sir, Frank MeDonald's article on Temple Bar displays a notable ignorance of the Irish Film Centre and its activities. He appears to be unaware that the centre comprises two buildings, housing a range of facilities, services and organisations. The first is home to a number of independent film bodies including the Federation of Irish Film Societies, the Junior Dublin Film Festival, MEDIA Desk Ireland and Filmbase; there is also a specialist shop as well as two cinemas screening wideranging and culturally diverse programmes which match the interests of 8,000 enthusiastic members plus their guests.
In the second building is preserved the National Film Collection where the vaults of the Irish Film Archive contain 15,000 cans of film, the magnetic tape collection and related paper holdings. The archive provides an access service to film makers, researchers and students, and has supplied films and information to festivals worldwide in recent years.
The Film Institute of Ireland's Library and Information Centre specialises in material relating to Irish film and audiovisual culture and is much used by third level students.
Finally, we have an extremely busy education department which is responsible for courses and programmes for students of all ages' for inservice teacher training and for projects with communities in Dublin and throughout the country.
We feel that all parts of the Irish Film Centre contribute to its unique atmosphere and that its very difference and versatility attract people to it, whether to avail of its facilities or simply to enjoy a meal and drink with friends. - Yours, etc.,
Director
Film Institute of Ireland 6 Eustace Street,
Temple Bar,
Dublin 2.