President And The Horse Show

Sir, - Amid all the hullabaloo about the non-attendance of President McAleese at the Aga Khan Cup presentation, I would like …

Sir, - Amid all the hullabaloo about the non-attendance of President McAleese at the Aga Khan Cup presentation, I would like to express my admiration for her taking time to learn our native language.

During my early years in primary school I was taught the Irish language but never to cherish or love it. I suppose I was one of those who was turned off the language because of the manner of teaching.

We have a wonderful president in Mary McAleese and her decision to take an Irish language course instead of attending the horse show won't nag me like it does some readers. - Yours, etc., Tom Hyland,

Le Fanu Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10.