Sir, - Allow me to share some observations made by a recent visitor from Britain about the "Irish hard shoulder" and its various uses:
1. A trading place - especially for chipper vans, strawberry sellers, potato dealers and various other nomadic temporary traders.
2. A picnic spot for weary travellers.
3. An advertising stronghold used regularly by petrol stations, craft emporiums, fresh egg and smoked salmon sellers and bureau de change tycoons.
4. An extra lane for pedestrians, equestrians, agricultural machinery, cyclists and vintage cars.
5. An area to pull into when someone wishes to overtake - regardless of oncoming traffic.
6. Last but not least, an area to safely stop when broken down or to mend a puncture.
All these uses may be observed on the Cork-Dublin road all year round, although the summer season is the best time of year to see the Irish hard shoulder being used to its full potential. - Yours, etc.,
Donal Good, Diamond Hill, Monkstown, Co Cork.