Madam, – I was disappointed to read Dr Ruairi Hanley’s criticism of what he sees as the “begrudgery” of Limerick society in respect of Dr Frank McCourt (July 24th).
Frank McCourt visited Limerick in 1997 and was warmly received with a civic reception and with the conferring of an honorary doctorate at the University of Limerick. He stayed in Limerick for some weeks and freely offered his time: he gave writing workshops, guest lectures, and one-to-one tuition in writing skills to many Limerick people. When he walked the streets, he was greeted with friendship and appreciation and in fact returned to Limerick on several occasions because of the respect he, his wife and his family received here.
Limerick did recognise the enormous talent of one of its own and was well able to enjoy the professional inspiration and keen craftsmanship of Mr McCourt’s first book, mixing, as it does, themes of depression and poverty with a sure awareness of the pathos and comedy underlying the narrated life. – Yours, etc,
Dr BRIAN COATES,
Castletroy,
Co Limerick.