Madam, - I respectfully suggest that Liam Ó Géibheannaigh's letter in Monday's edition was inappropriate for St Patrick's day, when Irishness is celebrated the world over.
Perhaps he might care to offer a single piece of supporting evidence for his impressive-sounding assertion that "only a finite number of foreign nationals. . .can be absorbed into any community. . .without undermining its culture and stability". His claim about the "eventual extinction of Irish culture" can be seen for the scaremongering it is when the experiences of history are examined.
Migration is not a new phenomenon - the Celts, whose heritage Mr Ó Géibheannaigh lauds, were an early instance of mass migration to Ireland. Perhaps he would care for a return to the days of the Fir Bolg.
It is being amply demonstrated in Ireland and other nations that nationals and foreign nationals working together can contribute to the fabric of the community. One need only look at New York's St Patrick's day parade to witness the rich contribution made by the Irish to American society.
We cannot preserve Irish culture in formaldehyde, and change does not equal death - though it might be better if Mr Ó Géibheannaigh's exclusive, backward-looking brand of Irishness did in fact become extinct. - Yours, etc.,
DENISE KELLEHER,
Foxfield Road,
Raheny,
Dublin 5.
Madam, - Cris de coeur over the fading Celtic light, like that from Liam Ó Geibheannaigh, are all very well, but the paradox is that immigrants nurture their culture, and good luck to them, while we Irish all too often do their best to consume our heritage.
The real threats to Irishness comes from within.
Think of the rampant embrace of the commercial and hedonistic lures of globalism, the political interference in local development issues, the vested interests that operate with impunity, the expedient fall-out from political spin, illegal dumping, the sly destruction of neglected monuments, and scandals such as the Carrickmines fiasco.
You can't have your culture and eat it. - Yours, etc.,
M. BAYNES,
Midfield,
Swinford,
Co Mayo.