A chara, - My appreciation of your fine St Patrick's Festival supplement was tempered by the absence of any meaningful contribution in our native language. Throughout my life, I have regarded St Patrick's Day as an occasion when even the most hesitant of bilingual speakers would utter the cupla focail, either in honour of the saint or of the day that was in it. In churches, the Irish version of at least one prayer or blessing also got an airing.
This was so because the Irish language, whether we speak it or not, is a part of what we are. As Michael D. Higgins remarked on another occasion, "Irish has an integral and creative role to play in defining our identity". It was not only Synge who learned that an appreciation of the Irish language opens doors to a deeper understanding of an important facet of Irishness. However, for our native language to remain relevant to our lives and to our sense of cultural identity, it requires positive affirmation from the opinion leaders in society, among whom I would certainly rate The Irish Times and the festival board.
I experienced a similar feeling of disappointment at the absence of Irish from our President's programme message. - Is mise, Liam O Geibheannaigh,
Ath an Ghainimh, Co Atha Cliath.