Madam, – Adrian Goodwin’s suggestion (May 12th) that Queen Elizabeth be invited to read Joyce’s “Ivy Day in the Committee Room” is appropriate. HRH’s attention should be drawn to the following line, perhaps: “That’s a fella now that’d sell his country for fourpence – ay – and go down on his bended knees and thank the Almighty Christ he had a country to sell.”
When the anti-visit protesters are on the streets, they might be asked a parallel question: who has decimated the Republic of Ireland? The British monarch or the Irish elites? And, perhaps, a third question might be apposite: why are the Irish so ready to bay for British blood but are woefully silent when faced with the corruption of their own elites? Are the Irish afraid of the Irish? It looks like it. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – A correspondent writes (May 12th) that Edward VII was “the last reigning monarch to visit our shores”.
No, he wasn’t, unless “our” shores” don’t exist between Carlingford and Foyle. A minor point maybe, but the shores of the entire island are overseen by a single lighthouse system that sees shores alone and relatively ephemeral borders.
Have we in the North “gone away you know”? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Given the recent comments about Greece leaving the euro, which would have implications for Ireland’s position, I wonder if the minions of the Department of Foreign Affairs will view the visit of the Queen as a possible testing of the waters of public opinion with a view to preparing a position paper concerning Ireland’s return to sterling. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Could the State explain what is the legal basis for the involuntary Garda vetting of those unfortunate enough to live on the route that the State has decided to take Queen Elizabeth II along, and what would happen to anyone who refuses to be vetted or is found to be “unsatisfactory”? Are they expelled from their property for the duration of her visit? I thought I lived in a Republic. – Yours, etc,
A chara, – May I wish all those participating in the National Forelock Tugging Championship, which coincides with the forthcoming royal visit, the very best of luck.