Madam, - I read with interest Christina Hunt Mahony's essay on the unfolding difficulties of teaching Irish studies in the United States (Weekend Review, April 12th). In the climate she describes, I suggest at least two universities deserve mention for the expansion of their contribution to the field:
1. Emory University, Atlantic, Georgia, under the wise presidency of Bill Chace, with the enlightened support of scholar Ron Schuchard and the expertise of librarian Steve Enniss, for the invaluable resource of manuscripts held in its Robert W. Woodruff Library's Special Collections.
2. Villanova University, Pennsylvania, whose Irish Studies Programme, under the dedicated leadership of James Murphy, flourishes in the US and in Ireland (in association with NUI Galway) and has recently been enhanced by Charles A. Heimbold's generous endowment of a chair.
Since I was honoured to inaugurate the Heimbold Chair in 2000, it has attracted outstanding writers - Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Eamon Grennan, the current holder, Marina Carr, and next year's joint appointees, Vona Groarke and Conor O'Callaghan. - Yours, etc.,
PETER FALLON, The Gallery Press, Loughcrew, Oldcastle, Co Meath.