A Chara, - It is somewhat understandable that Paul Adams (September 3rd) should repeat the oft-stated but erroneous view that the Irishmen who fought in the British army during the first World War "have been largely airbrushed out of Irish history". This view is widely held and perpetuated because the record of the early Irish Free State governments, under the leadership of W.T. Cosgrave, has been airbrushed out of modern Irish history. Many career-minded historians find it more beneficial to write about the exploits of the "Soldiers of Destiny", have been almost permanently in government since 1932.
Alhough Cosgrave only learned that his death sentence had been commuted while awaiting execution in Kilmainhan Jail in May 1916, in government he worked assiduously for the reconciliation of all Irish people and especially unionists. In this instance one example may suffice.
The Royal British Legion began an all-Ireland project in 1919 to create an Irish National War Memorial in Dublin. Eventually, on Cosgrave's advice, it decided on the Islandbridge site. Cosgrave wrote to the committee: "There are many schools of thought now, but this is in the main, a big question of Remembrance and Honour to the dead. The war memorial is really not a concern of mine, nor is it a concern of my office, except that it must always be a matter of interest to the Head of Government to see that a project which is dear to a big section of the citizens, should be a success."
He also made a grant of £50,000 available for the project.
- Is mise,
ANTHONY JORDAN, Gilford Road, Dublin 4.