Sir, - As reported in The Irish Times, John Bruton, in an electioneering speech, stated that "the big choice facing Irish people now was how they intended to treat the million people in the North who considered themselves part of another nation". Quite. But what about the nationalists in the North who consider themselves part of another nation - the Republic of Ireland?
They are the forgotten people. So too, soon, will be the Famine dead in Mayo. According to a report of the same date (February 25th), the people of Killala wish to destroy a Famine memorial "because it may be offensive to British tourists."
Why stop there, I say? Should not the monuments for the Rebellion of 98 go? Are there any connected with the War of Independence to be razed? I am sure that they would be most offensive to British tourists.
It is difficult to think of any period of Irish history, from the 12th century onwards, which would not offend British tourists if there were monuments to remind them of it. That is the kind of history that we have had. Luckily for the sensibilities of British tourists, our country has shown less interest in memorialising its past then any country in Europe.
Meanwhile, there are some of us who, for quite the opposite reasons to those which might be put forward by hypothetical British tourists, will be reluctant in future to put any money into "the greasy tills" of Killala. - Yours, etc.,
Priory Avenue,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.