Sir, – London has a leading paper called The Times, while Dublin has one called The Irish Times.
Shouldn't they be known collectively as The British Times? – Yours, etc,
DONAL KENNEDY,
Palmers Green,
London.
Sir, – The term British Isles seems to have been first coined during the reign of Elizabeth 1 (1553-1603). But the term did not come into common usage for a long time.
A recent (2009) history of "these isles" by the distinguished historian Norman Davis, is called The Isles, not the British Isles. That term is hardly appropriate for worldwide use and having regard to the existence of the European Union, these isles may well be referred to in the future as the "Western European Isles". However it may be a long time before a new name is universally accepted. – Yours, etc,
PÁDRAIG MURRAY,
Ballinteer,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – Regarding the current conundrum regarding the geographical term “British Isles,” it’s all just a storm in a teacup. Let’s move on to calmer waters. – Yours, etc,
TOMMY RODDY,
Salthill,
Galway.