Sir, - I first visited the Chester Beatty Library some years ago in Shrewsbury Road, so I was most excited to see it at its new home in Dublin Castle. The magnificent wonders and treasures on display are breathtaking and a visit is a must for domestic and overseas visitors alike. I was thus most annoyed to find that, on trying to telephone the library to plan a second visit with visitors from overseas, I could not get through on numerous occasions. I rang the operator to be told that the tone I was hearing was that the "number was not in use". However, this is the number advertised on all the library's literature.
I eventually managed to get through via e-mail and when I explained my difficulties, it was outlined to me that this great natural cultural institution had been "in discussion" with Eircom for over nine months about this problem but that Eircom had failed to rectify it.
I cannot believe that in the 21st century's competitive telecommunications market, Eircom can display such appalling customer service and at the same time, deprive many people of the opportunity of experiencing what has to be one of Ireland's greatest treasures. - Yours, etc.,
Niamh O'Sullivan, Glasnevin, Dublin 11.