Sir, - After reading the articles on the Irish language, I noticed the two writers passionately in favour of learning it, Brian ╙ Dubhghaill (August 11th), and Bernard O'Grady (August 15th), do not actually live in this country.
Is this a coincidence? I should imagine not. I happen to know from personal experience that love of a country can be extraordinarily enhanced when you are an exile. This is human nature and a fact that applies to all nations, not just Ireland. Thus, for example, the emotional rhetoric of Mr O'Grady about how Brazilians are interested in learning Irish (a foreign and new language to them) really has no relevance to this debate.
I believe Mr Tom Higgins is a brave man for taking a stance against this conservative system. There are powerful forces and opinions against him, yet he went with what he believed to be best for his children. - Yours, etc.,
Kevin O'Mahony, Foxrock, Dublin 18.