Madam, - A visit to the splendid Pearse Museum at St Enda's Park, Rathfarnham provides clear evidence that Patrick Pearse was a convinced and dedicated environmentalist. His leadership in providing an understanding of the underlying science of ecosystems and a love of nature and beauty are well documented there, for example in the following:
"Nature study forms an essential part of the work of St Enda's. The instruction, however, does not take the form of a mere dry-as-dust teaching of the rudiments of zoology, botany, and geology, but consists rather in an attempt to inspire a real interest in and love for beautiful things.
"If our boys observe their fellow-citizens of the grass and woods and water as wisely and as lovingly as they should, I think they will learn much. This was one of my hopes in bringing them here from the suburbs."
Instead of embedding his environmental philosophy and respect for science in our educational system, we rushed after Independence to extirpate it as quickly and comprehensively as possible. And we are still bearing the costs. - Yours, etc,
FRANK J. CONVERY, Chair, Comhar, (National Sustainable Development Partnership and Heritage Trust), Clonskeagh, Dublin 14