Madam, - I read with interest both the letter from Friends of the RDS (August 9th) and the article by Grania Willis in your edition of August 11th. Like the friends of the RDS, I and a number my acquaintances have become increasingly concerned at the direction the society is taking.
Like the chief executive, Mr Cleary, I had never heard of the Friends of the RDS; but unlike him I do not think they are totally misguided.
Mr Cleary goes on to say that "we are bound by our charter to generate as much income as possible". If this is true it is a complete change in the society's philosophy since its founding in 1731 and the granting of its charter in 1750. While the RDS obviously has to fund its activities it is not a commercial organisation but it appears, in recent years, to be mainly concerned with making money rather than anything else.
It is for us, the members of the RDS, to make our feelings known if we are not happy at the direction the society is taking and to this end I for one support the Friends of the RDS. - Yours, etc.,
E.J. COOPER, Annesbrook, Moynalty, Co Meath.