Sir, - We are all familiar with the relicts of the Protestant demesnes in the Irish landscape, crumbling grey mansions which are now uninhabited and are home only to sheep and cows on the ground floor. They stand, as a reminder to us at the beginning of the 21st century, of a previous era and civilisation, now left high and dry with the changing tides of history and fortunes.
How interesting it is now to witness the spate of building that is going on in the landscape. As in the 19th century, the economic sea-change has lead to the mushrooming of new structures, such as giant office blocks and multinational call centres. Who knows, should the economic bubble burst in the next few decades, then Ireland may be left - as with the legacy of the Protestant estates - with vast numbers of derelict and unused glass and chrome structures as monuments to the age of the Celtic Tiger.
But no matter! I am sure these buildings can likewise be put to use in the traditional manner. A prize for the first photograph of a cow or sheep, browsing or grazing in the reception area of what was previously a multi-national call centre. - Yours, etc.,
June Effemey, Phoenix Drive, Castleknock, Dublin 15.