Madam, - Dr Kevin Murray of UCC claims (April 6th) that the changes made in at UCD will have the net result of leaving us with no one competent to read the Franciscan (OFM) manuscripts. This and similar complaints made by other correspondents are more than a little misleading.
A fundamental objective of the Louvain 400 celebrations and the work of the Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute for the Study of Irish History and Civilisation involves the renewal of interest in Irish studies, not only at University College Dublin, but among the wider public. This work has been under way for years now and its success to date was highlighted by President McAleese on her recent visit to Louvain as part of the Louvain 400 celebrations.
The transfer of the magnificent Franciscan archive from the Franciscan Library at Killiney to UCD affords us with the opportunity to encourage and train a new generation of scholars to work on this national and historic collection of books, documents and manuscripts. This work has already gained national and international recognition.
The wide-ranging calendar of events organized to celebrate the foundation of St Anthony's College Louvain (available at www.louvain400.eu) should leave no one in doubt as to UCD's commitment to the study of all aspects of Irish history. It is evidence of its commitment to bringing a new and different vibrancy to Irish studies throughout Ireland and abroad. We welcome all scholars and the public to participate in our project. Ní neart go cur le chéile! - Yours, etc,
Dr EDEL BHREATHNACH, Dr JOHN McCAFFERTY, Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute for the Study of Irish History and Civilisation, UCD, Dublin 4.