Madam, - As a former serving member of the Defence Forces (and very proud to be so) I was involved with many commemorations - President Kennedy's guard of honour at Dublin Airport, Roger Casement's remains being returned to Ireland, and many more such like ceremonies. These helped me to understand, and to witness, the historical significance of these occasions.
But it is with heart-filled regret that I see a Sir Francis Drake memorial on my doorstep, celebrating a mass murderer, thief, slave trader and common pirate who did absolutely nothing for the Irish people (except murder them on Rathlin Island). The date of remembrance is also poignant in that it was in July 1575 that Mr Drake along with John Norris under the command of Walter Deveraux murdered 600 of the islanders.
I dare not think of the terrible atrocities he must have committed against the black people of West Africa as a slave trader. As a native of Co Antrim and one with ancestral links to Rathlin Island, it is very hurtful to think that my ancestors may have suffered at the hands of this man and that the Irish State has honoured him in such an official way. - Yours, etc,
CON MAC PARTHALAIN, Baile an Lorcha, Corcaigh.