Madam, - May I reply to those who have been critical of my call (November 13th) for the Irish soldiers of the Great War to be remembered and honoured?
I said that "we should be proud and humbled to acknowledge the memory of so many Irish soldiers who sacrificed themselves, with the encouragement of Irish politicians, for us and for our freedom". I did not say that we should not honour the participants of the 1916 Rising or the War of Independence. It is extraordinary how people can scan a letter, see what they want to see and rush to reply to what was not said at all.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Rising, Sean Lemass asked the citizens of the Republic to acknowledge and remember the commitment of the Irish soldiers who fought in the Great War. It is indeed a great pity that, 37 years later, a generosity of spirit is still singularly lacking in some quarters.
To the many people who have visited my website and who phoned and wrote to me (the vast majority of whom were supportive): Thank you. - Yours etc.,
Capt DONAL BUCKLEY, (Irish Army, Ret'd), Military Heritage Tours, Castlebar, Co Mayo.