Sir, – Frank McNally’s exploration of the periodic table of the elements and its relation to Irish names (An Irishman’s Diary, August 29th) prompted me to dig through my old schoolbooks. Might I suggest that Francium, atomic number 87, known for its rarity and highly reactive nature, is somewhat reminiscent of Frank himself? – Yours, etc,
ENDA CULLEN,
Armagh.
Sir, – In the olden days in west Wicklow, a fan of the great George Bernard Shaw would be known as a Shawite, but one would have to be careful how one pronounced it. – Yours, etc,
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MATTIE LENNON,
Blessington,
Co Wicklow.