Sir, - I was appalled by Timothy O'Connor's letter. He says he grew up in New York feeling inferior because of his Irish ancestry. After living in Dublin for 16 years he is returning to America, again embarrassed by his Irish blood due to the response of the Irish people to the events of September 11th.
My experience has been the opposite. I grew up in the Chicago area where everyone with a drop of Irish blood is proud and vocal. I have lived in Ireland for over a year and have found the response of my Irish friends (to my knowledge I have no enemies) to the tragedy to have been utterly sympathetic, totally supportive and genuinely sincere.
Even strangers, on hearing my accent, offer condolence and friendship. Many have said they consider the attack to have been on them. Our church in Ratoath was full to bursting on the day of mourning with as many standing in the churchyard in the rain.
When my time here in Ireland is at an end, I will return to my native land more knowledgeable, more appreciative and certainly prouder than ever of my Irish ancestry. - Yours, etc.,
Terry McLaughlin, Ratoath, Co Meath.