FRANK BOUCHIER-HAYES,
Sir, - The recent controversy surrounding the identity of Ireland's first Head of State has thrown up the name of a largely forgotten historical figure. Many biographies of Michael Collins have been written in the 80 years since his death, but only two of Cathal Brugha have thus far appeared. While one can commend both of his biographers for eloquently detailing his life and times in our first national language, it is nothing short of a national scandal that no biography of Brugha has been published in English.
Given the fact that portraits of Collins and Brugha adorn opposite walls in Leinster House, it seems extraordinary that we know so much about the former and so little about the latter. Perhaps the saddest irony is that the finest tribute to Brugha came from Collins, who wept upon hearing of Brugha's death in July 1922. "When many of us are forgotten," Collins wrote, "Cathal Brugha will be remembered." - Yours, etc.,
FRANK BOUCHIER-HAYES, Newcastle West, Co Limerick.