Return of Sheela Na Gig

Sir, - I read with interest your report (December 6th) on the Glanworth Project's campaign for the return of the Sheela na Gig…

Sir, - I read with interest your report (December 6th) on the Glanworth Project's campaign for the return of the Sheela na Gig from a Duchas depot in Mallow to the community from which it originated in north Cork.

I would like to remind the people of Westmeath that two of their Sheelas (from Killua and Chloran) are now in the British Museum and fully inaccessable to the communities from which they originate. It is to be hoped that, pending their return, they are maintained much more carefully than, for example, the "Elgin marbles" which were damaged 60 years ago by the British museum or indeed the Carrick Sheela na Gig, which was taken from its place of origin in Kildare, removed to Cambridge University Museum from which it "disappeared".

It is to be hoped too that the eventual success of the Glanworth campaign may encourage similar efforts for the return of the Killua and Chloran Sheelas to their rightful places. - Yours, etc.,

Ralph Kenna, New Wapping Street, Dublin 1.