Sir, - I would like to register my support for Tim Robinson (August 16th) in his opposition to the proposed siting of three windmills on the island of Inishmaan. I believe that all writers and artists who have any affection for the West of Ireland and the Aran Islands should oppose the idea. The three islands have held a special place in the minds and imaginations of writers and artists for decades; the poet Mairtin O Direain and the short story writer and novelist Liam O'Flaherty were born on Inishmore.
I find quite extraordinary the comment by Mr Peter Keavney, manager of the Galway Energy Agency, which supports the windmill venture, that an island provided by power from windmills could, among other things, become "an enormous tourist attraction".
In their unwindmilled state, the islands are that already. I am sure Mr Keavney means well, but it is hard to ignore the degree to which, say, the city of Galway has permitted its old and venerable character to be destroyed in the interest of serving tourism. I am sure Mr Keavney deplores this, as we all do. The same should not happen on Aran.
As if to highlight the possible dangers, Lorna Siggins (Out of the West, August 16th) reports how Galway's old Bowling Green area, site of the "Nora Barnacle House", has just been redeemed - for now - from becoming the site of a multi-level car-park and apartments by a welcome and timely ruling of An Bord Pleanala.
As I write, the International Aran Islands Prose and Poetry Festival is under way, ending on August 20th. Perhaps participating writers, in particular the visitors, will have something to say in support of their fellow writer, Tim Robinson, whose love of and concern for the Aran Islands has been expressed so generously and so often in his work. - Yours, etc.,
Fred Johnston, Circular Road, Galway.