Madam, - It is depressing to see virtually no concern expressed at the issues highlighted by Prof Donnchadh Ó Corráin (May 3rd) regarding the attitude of UCD and TCD to their vacant chairs in medieval Irish history and languages.
This lack of reaction is in stark contrast to the howls of indignation that greeted the equally regrettable decision of Queen's University last year to close its classics department. How much safer, even satisfying perhaps, to criticise institutions outside the State, rather than our own.
If two of our major universities can so seriously undermine, without public censure, the study of Ireland's notable contribution to medieval civilisation, is it any wonder our politicians can continue to neglect with impunity the cultural and heritage institutions under their control, particularly the National Archives, National Library and National Museum? - Yours etc.,
LIAM IRWIN, Department of History, Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick.