Sir, - Well done to Michael Viney for once again being a lone voice of conscience in defence of our environment, this time in relation to the night sky (The Irish Times December 9th).
I experienced total darkness for the first time in my life when I came to live here on the Dingle peninsula eight years ago. Over the years, visiting friends have marvelled at the intensity of our night sky, brilliant with millions of stars.
Night, the most basic element of our existence, has become a marvel because total darkness is now a rarity, a privilege which is in danger of being eroded by the orange glow filling the night sky. Looking out from my window towards Ventry Harbour I am assaulted by the new floodlights of my local pub and church, now lit up like an airfield, and by the ever increasing number of super bright "security" lights springing up around the neighbourhood. The glow of Dingle eight miles away is creeping nearer.
The darkness and the natural brightness of the night sky are a miraculous gift of creation. Let's switch off the lights and wake up to that gift. - Yours, etc,.
Abigail Joffe, Baile an tSleibhe, Ceann Tra Co Chiarrai.