Letter: Ireland is not 'mad', but a reality Britain must understand

Professor L. M. Cullen
Thursday 11 August 1994 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Bryan Apppleyard is entitled to his views even if he can find 'spectacular swimming pools in remote western villages' of Ireland, where plainer citizens can find none at all. What cannot go unnoticed, however, is his assertion 'about people reluctant to talk too loudly because the local Provo representatives might hear and note their name'. That should be flagged as the patent nonsense that it is.

Perhaps he has imbibed too freely of the various Irish stouts which are mentioned on no less than three occasions in his article. Clearly, if he was still in a pub at 2am, as he seems to admit, he acquired more than the hangover which also features in the article. When he acquires a taste for Irish bottled waters, he should attempt another article on the Irish problem, and find the solution earlier in the evening.

Yours sincerely,

L. M. CULLEN

Trinity College

Dublin

The writer is Professor of Modern Irish History at the University of Dublin.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in