ANTHONY P. QUINN,
A chara, - Bernard J. Barton (March 23rd) makes some valid criticisms of the Irish State's negative attitudes towards heritage and culture outside mainstream nationalism.
Irrespective of party politics, however, let us give due credit for positive actions in recent years. Regarding remembrance of the Great War, An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, hosted a State reception for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association in Dublin Castle.
At that and other events, national leaders, echoing the mould-breaking speech of the then Taoiseach Sean Lemass at King's Inns in 1966, acknowledged the sincere motives of the Irish who served in British and other Allied forces during the World Wars.
John O'Donoghue, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in a graveside oration at the reburial of volunteer Patrick Maher at Ballylanders, Co Limerick, in October 2001, quoted two poets killed in the first World War: Francis Ledwidge and Tom Kettle, (one of the 25 Irish barristers who died in that war). The Minister remembered the many Irishmen "who choose another courageous path. . .who fought together for the rights of small nations." - Is mise,
ANTHONY P. QUINN,
Law Library,
Dublin 7.
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Sir, - Struggling, with the dog, down a wild, rainswept Dun Laoghaire pier on March 17th, the first person I met was an African man. I bid him "good morning". He wished me a "happy St Patrick's day". Mr Trimble, how are you?
Could I suggest to Wesley Boyd and Robin Bury that they meditate for a minute during the Angelus peals on religious tolerance, or on silence, or on acquiescence? The bells toll for us all. - Yours, etc.,
DENIS GILL,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.