Madam, - The past decade has bought change - economic, social and cultural - on a scale unknown since the early 1920s and the foundation of this State.
Much of our old national furniture - shared outlooks, traditions and institutions - was deemed obsolete and in the rush to modernity thrown on the bonfire of progress. Fancy foreign ways have been embraced with unseemly haste. The resulting sense of dislocation has left many true-born Gaels feeling almost like strangers in their own land.
It is heartening, therefore, to read of the resurgence of that inimitable old tradition at the recent Barbra Streisand concert - the great Irish free-for-all. Reports in the print and broadcast media have alleged that premium ticket holders at the Castletown concert who arrived late (through no fault of their own) found their seats occupied by individuals who then refused to move.
While those affected were understandably angered at their treatment, this sturdy youth promptly went to his nearest crossroads and jigged for joy. After all, what could be more Irish than the usurpation of another's goods or chattels through obnoxious behaviour in public, utterly unchallenged by the forces of authority?
Trampling on the rights of some poor unfortunate to a bit of peace and quiet is as Irish as bacon, cabbage and red lemonade. Instead of getting themselves worked up into a lather of resentment, these concert-goers might pause to give thanks that at least one of our cherished rituals has not gone the way of poitín-drinking and Peig Sayers.
I am sure many of your older readers will fondly recall other manifestations of the spirit of the great Irish free-for-all. Who among us has not enjoyed an afternoon on an inter-city train jolting its way across our beautiful midlands while young men consume vast quantities of cider and terrorise their fellow-passengers? Who has never attempted to sit through a film in a cinema only to be subjected to a few hours of sweet-munching, mobile phone-ringing and loud conversations?
As someone who lived in England for a number of years I had naturally become isolated from such examples of Gaeldom. While the English are not without their own free spirited types, as a nation they nonetheless attach great importance to courteous, unselfish regard for fellow members of the public. Civilised behaviour, they call it.
Since my return in 2005 I have been fully reacquainted with our defining national characteristics and in doing so have thankfully thrown off any residual, unpatriotic, Anglo-Saxon influences. I now spend my days swearing, dropping litter, flicking cigarette butts, jumping queues and consuming disgusting fast food - without shame or hindrance. A native, once again. - Yours, etc,
PHILIP DONNELLY, Donadea, Naas, Co Kildare.