Sir, – John Cully (Letters, July 8th) feels "it would be best by far if these Gaeltacht areas vanished for once and for all".
I wonder if he has been recently (or at all) to a Gaeltacht? Visiting An Rinn, Co Waterford, with my young family for their annual holidays, I am as ever captivated not only by the natural beauty of the region, but also by the natural ease with, and pride in, its Gaeltacht traditions.
The Irish language is heard here as much as English, from the playground to the beaches, in commerce and in leisure.
Neither the schoolchildren chatting as Gaeilge nor the shopkeepers who greet their customers in our national language have any agenda – it is simply the way it is. And it is wonderful.
This is not a hindrance to the development of our heritage; to suggest its obliteration is offensive.
Ba cheart go mbeadh naire air. – Is mise,
JESSICA DUFF
Woollerton Park,
Singapore.