NAMING THE SPIKE

GEOFF SCARGILL,

GEOFF SCARGILL,

Madam, - Oliver McGrane (December 3rd) suggests "The Prod" as a name for the Spike - "a good-natured poke at our Northern neighbours". Good-natured it may be - but why it is often assumed that Protestants are confined to the North of Ireland?

I am tired of the supposition that Southern Protestants are not as much part of the South as Roman Catholics - intrinsic to this society, and part of its very fabric and culture.

Some of the most prominent patriots in the history of our State were protestant - Wolfe Tone, Robert Emmet, etc. - not to mention our very first President. We are not followers of Ian Paisley, we have no allegiance to Queen Elizabeth of England and several of us, at least, think that cricket is incredibly boring! - Is mise,

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GEOFF SCARGILL, Loreto Grange, Bray, Co Wicklow.

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Madam, - May I suggest one for the birds: "Soar Point"? - Yours, etc.,

CLARE BALFE, Innisfallen Parade, Dublin 7.