A few months ago, I wrote to The Irish Times complaining about the dirty streets of Dublin. This time I write about one of the most wonderful aspects of the city and of this country.
Last week I shook Bill Clinton's hand outside the Clarence Hotel. If I had been in England (my home country), I don't think that this could have happened. In London, the hotel would have been in Mayfair, or Knightsbridge, tucked away on an exclusive street, familiar only to those in the know. In Ireland's capital, the hotel was on one of the main streets and everyone from office workers to politicians was there.
In the canteen in the basement of the Four Courts, senior counsel sit and have a coffee beside lay clients and God forbid, solicitors! This would rarely, if ever happen in Britain. A few months ago, I was in a bar in Ballsbridge and half the Irish rugby team walked in and stood around drinking with the rest of us.
Maybe this has something to do with the size of the country. I like to think it has more to do with the spirit of the Irish people. Whatever it is, it makes Ireland almost unique and it must be maintained and cherished. - Yours, etc.,
LOUISE ASHCROFT, Bachelors Walk, Dublin 1.