Sir, – As America commemorates the 150th anniversary of the civil war that shaped her nationhood, Ireland should also remember its connection to that conflict, not least the 150,000 or so of its countrymen who fought on both sides during that five-year long war.
One interesting and little-known fact in Ireland’s link is that most of the iconic grey uniforms worn by the Confederate soldiers in the American civil war were made in Peter Tait’s factory in Edward Street, Limerick. Mr Tait even had to buy shares in a steamship blockade runner, in order to get the Limerick-sewn uniforms through the Union blockades that were stopping all deliveries into the southern states.
Now this important historical site and potential tourist magnet is under threat as Limerick City Council looks to redevelop the building in a manner which “consists of the carrying out of works which would materially affect the character of a protected structure, namely the former Tait Clothing Factory Buildings.”
I would call on the Limerick local authorities to revise this decision and preserve the site. What Ireland needs now is not additional housing units, but more visitors to our shores.
Our immense heritage is the catalyst for bringing them here. – Yours, etc,