Review of the Abbey Theatre

Sir, – Garry Hynes has interesting points to make about the Arts Council's funding of theatre in Ireland (Arts & Ideas, January 23rd). However, her specific comments on our National Theatre under the stewardship of Fiach Mac Conghail seem curiously lacking in internal logic. On the one hand, he is complimented for having brought a "measure of financial stability" to the theatre, during a period of severe cutbacks in State funding. She then goes on to criticise the effective closing of the Peacock stage and the absence of any regular national tours or performances at international venues and festivals. She also suggests that an artistic director should be appointed, in tandem with the current executive-producer position held by Mac Conghail. Meeting her criticisms would self-obviously cost a lot more money. I'm at a loss (and presumably so would be the Abbey). – Yours, etc,

AODH Ó DOMHNAILL.

Green Road,

Blackrock, Co Dublin.