Sir, - After two Millennia of Christianity the best we can do is to erect a meaningless symbol in O'Connell Street to celebrate the occasion.What about our glorious heritage, when we were known as the Island of Saints and Scholars, and sent out missionaries to Europe, and later across the world to spread the Gospel. What about the sacrifices of our people during the period of the Penal laws, when they lost their property and even their lives in defence of their religion?Have we forgotten the history of our national struggle for liberty which lasted more than 700 years, and our success in shaking off the yoke of serfdom in the 20th century which flashed a beacon of hope to oppressed nations around the globe?Are we ashamed of our rich culture? Even an inscription in chosen words outlining our achievements during the two millennia of christianity, placed on a stone in the vicinity of this stanchion, might salvage the situation.The rock monuments on Easter Island give testimony to the paganism of the original inhabitants who worshipped them.Likewise, a century hence our descendants will see in O'Connell Street a piece of inanimate metal mounted on a stone pedestal, and ask themselves were we devoid of imagination, or, as a nation had we a soul, a culture, or a heritage?Would it be reasonable to assume that they will equate us with the former natives of Easter Island? - Yours, etc.,Maurice Forde, Botanic Road, Ballyphehane, Cork.