A chara, - The prospect of viewing the solstice sun entering Newgrange prompted me to break my boycott of breakfast TV. Just before sunrise, excited as a lucky child on Christmas morning, I was remarking on RTE's foresight in filming this remarkable event. Within half-an-hour I was almost blushing with embarrassment at the thought that the programme was being broadcast around the world.
The solstice sun entering Newgrange merited sensitive treatment. Instead we were treated to a mish-mash of interviews. There was no opportunity to contemplate the marvellous event in peace. The director seemed to forget that the script for this morning was written 5,000 years ago; it didn't need a Rose of Tralee format to bolster it. s attempt to hold the program together could rescue the overall banality of the production. I finally gave up when camera shots of the fully illuminated chamber were accompanied by Bertie Aherns talk of *SLAmilleniums*SRA and went instead to contemplate the sun with naked eye.
Next year, RTE, please let Newgrange's sacred solstice sun speak for itself. - Is mise, Iva Pocock,
Manor Kilbride, Blessington, Co Wicklow.