Madam, - Dr Gerald Morgan of Trinity College Dublin is far too modest (December 19th).
His claim that his college's "natural place is in the world's top 10 universities along with Harvard and Yale and Oxford and Cambridge" does not do himself and his colleagues justice. Their "natural place" is as lords of the entire academic universe.
Dr Morgan tells us that Trinity academics "have always regarded themselves as the equal of Oxford and Cambridge", which is heartening. If we cannot live up to institutions on the neighbouring island that are dominated by a white, male, English ethos then life would scarcely be worth living. Perhaps, one day, the "nature" and "destiny" which he cites will see Trinity return to years of glory such as when (he reminds us) Edmund Burke attended - and when there was no other university on the island.
Dr Morgan concludes by declaring that "it is time for our rulers to recognise the prestige that Trinity College Dublin has conferred and continues to confer on Ireland". Again, he is much too modest. As his humble colleagues, senators Ivana Bacik and David Norris, can no doubt point out, Trinity College is not merely an ornament to the nation. It is, verily, God's gift to humanity. - Yours, etc,
COLUM KENNY PhD (TCD), School of Communications, Dublin City University, Dublin 9.