Sir, - In a recent review (Arts, July 28th), Rosita Boland gave a generally correct and fair description of some of the new features of the exhibition at Dublinia.
Towards the end, however, one reads that "the exhibition does not attempt to be historically accurate", which is incorrect and unfair.
Since the original opening in 1993, it has been a consistent aim of the parent body, the Medieval Trust, to offer visitors to Dublinia a well researched and an historically accurate portrayal of the medieval city. To that end, a time-line and graphic panels containing a vast amount of information were installed.
These form the basis for an extensive programme of education packs as well as guided tours. To the best of my knowledge, their accuracy has never been questioned.
The sound stores in the recreated fair, to which your correspondent refers, are quite deliberately more interpretative, since their purpose is to make the past more accessible to modern audiences. For example, bulls were certainly being baited annually in late medieval Dublin (in Cornmarket) and bear-baiting was a common feature of English towns.
The cultural life of Dublin in the Middle Ages was modelled closely on that of English towns and English evidence has sometimes been used to fill in gaps in the historical record.
Interpretative centres have a dual purpose - to educate and to entertain - and Dublinia continues to strive towards a balanced presentation of the historical past. - Yours, etc.,
Howard Clarke, Department of Medieval History, UCD, Dublin 4.