Madam, - Bill Fearey (June 20th) will be delighted to learn that the patron saint of Ireland has staged a revival and is flourishing in St Patrick's country, Downpatrick, Co Down.
At last, after years in exile, when he was celebrated by millions of people outside Ireland, the world's only permanent exhibition about Patrick allows the people of this island to learn about his original message and put the later interpretations of his life into context.
Remember that Patrick's story has been spun over the centuries by early Irish monks, English knights, nationalist Ireland and, in more recent times, Irish communities abroad. That doesn't mean that Patrick should be laid off because he has been greened up and shamrockised. He still presents a message of hope and salvation and the name of Patrick has come to symbolise the entire Christian tradition in Ireland - a movement which brought the light of Christianity into Dark Age Europe and gave Ireland an international identity.
Indeed, rather than being a redundant figure and tawdry symbol of nationalism Patrick now brings over 5,000 schoolchildren from all traditions and abilities together within our education programme to celebrate their common Christian heritage.
What better vehicle for mutual understanding than someone from Britain who became patron Saint of Ireland - and what better place for this new understanding to happen than in the North? - Yours, etc.,
Dr TIM CAMPBELL, Director, St Patrick Centre, Downpatrick, Co Down.