Respecting the Tricolour

Sir, – It was nice to see, in the Irish Times Magazine of July 30th, photographs of Irish athletes sporting small replicas of…

Sir, – It was nice to see, in the Irish Times Magazine of July 30th, photographs of Irish athletes sporting small replicas of the Tricolour on swimming caps, paddles, etc, and even draping the flag itself over their shoulders to celebrate winning a world championship – a triumph so rare that one can hardly begrudge this borderline practice.

However, it was disconcerting to be confronted on page one with a photo of horses which had Tricolours tied around their necks, like bibs for babies. Even the euphoria of some famous show-jumping victory does not excuse making a horse’s collar of our national flag! – Yours, etc,

MICHAEL DRURY,

Avenue Louise,

Brussels.

Sir, – Eric O’Brien (August 4th)refers to flags throughout the country being “well past their use-by-date . . . ragged, washed out and in need of replacement”.

Fitting symbols, then, for our post-republican, obsequious and sycophantic kowtowing to various pompous “majesties”. Perhaps a re-coronation ceremony for 2016 looms? – Yours, etc,

DAMIEN FLINTER,

Castleview,

Headford,

Co Galway.