Madam, - I refer to Kevin Myers's article on the sinking of the mailboat Leinster (August 25th). As a past pupil of the Dominican primary school, Dún Laoghaire, I am writing to contradict Kevin Myers's statement that the sinking of the Leinster and the lives of the people that were lost on October 10th, 1918 were never commemorated or taught about in schools.
Two years ago on October 10th (the 85th anniversary of this terrible event) the sixth classes of the Dominican school, St Joseph's primary school, pupils from St Killian's German school and a primary school in Holyhead took part in an ecumenical service in St Michael's church, led by the parish priest, Father Patrick Mangan.
This was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to the victims (at the sea-front opposite the yacht club). That weekend the participants from St Joseph's and Dominican primary school went over to Holyhead and held a similar ceremony in Wales. Everyone involved definitely remembers this tragedy. - Yours, etc,
NILS SUNDERMANN, Hudson Rd, Sandycove, Dún Laoghaire.
Madam, - Regarding Kevin Myers's Irishman's Diary (August 25th) on the RMS Leinster, he and your readers may be interested in the book Death in the Irish Sea: The Sinking of the RMS Leinster, written by Roy Stokes, first published in 1998 by the Collins Press, Wilton, Cork.
By the way, the publication received support from the Heritage Council. - Is mise,
AIDAN BUTLER, Greystones, Co Wicklow.