A chara, - It is good to see Dr Owen Dudley Edwards and other friends in Britain (June 15th) taking a close interest in Irish studies at Queen's. They will, no doubt, be glad to hear there is no question of closing the Institute of Irish studies here, as the recently unveiled academic plan for the University makes clear. Changes in the institute are envisaged but, after nearly four decades of a distinguished existence, some change is not perhaps premature. The net effect should be to strengthen Irish studies at Queen's.
One of the tangible expressions of this renewed commitment to Irish studies is the allocation of more than £500,000 to rehouse the institute. Another is the continued funding of visiting fellowships at the institute (this is against a background of financial stringency and cuts in expenditure elsewhere in the university).
Mar sin, ar aghaidh leis on obair. - Is mise,
LIAM KENNEDY,
Professor of Economic and
Social History,
and formerly Chair
of the Institute
of Irish Studies,
Queen's University,
Belfast 7.