Arts Council History

Sir, - For sheer effrontery, it would be hard to beat Adrian Munnelly's review of Artist Unknown: An Alternative History of the…

Sir, - For sheer effrontery, it would be hard to beat Adrian Munnelly's review of Artist Unknown: An Alternative History of the Arts Council (Books, April 18th). Mr Munnelly was the director of the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaion who shredded 200 copies of a history of official arts policy commissioned by his own council and written by Dr Brian P. Kennedy.That indefensible action occurred less than seven years ago, in November 1991. Yet you, sir, or your literary editor, commissioned this man, now a senior consultant at Carr Communications, to review a history of the Arts Council of England - a review from which he gleans "pointers for the arts community here as well as for the new Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaion members". Of the workings of the Arts Council of England he says: "If ever a system were devised with the sole purpose of stifling innovation, this is it. An Chomhairle Ealaion, beware."Yes. Quite. - Yours, etc., Donal O'Donovan,Rosalyn,Bray.