Sir, - The defence of Orangemen by Ruth Dudley Edwards (July 7th) is quite intriguing although it mainly rests on denouncing their enemies. One thing that strikes me as strange, coming from a professional historian, is her description of Brendan MacKenna's Irish name as "Hibernicised". Surely Mac Cionaoith is the original name of the sept of the Southern Ui Neill who were located in what is now Co Monaghan? MacKenna is an "Anglicisation", imposed by those stout defenders of "civil and religious liberty" who we are all asked to admire.
One cannot expect simple decent Orangemen to recognise this but surely it behoves a historian to see that the celebrations surrounding the 12th of July, insofar as they concern the native Irish, relate to the confiscation of their land; the suppression of their religion; and the destruction of their culture. This latter is much the most serious: lands can be recovered; religions can be revived; but human cultures, like the plants of the rain-forest, are lost forever. This is recognised, by thinking people everywhere, as a worldwide tragedy. Why should it be a matter of celebration in Ireland, by any group of whatever political allegiance?
I cannot help wondering what would happen if a neo-Nazi parade tried marching through Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Would Ms Dudley Edwards think it appalling if the local Jews became obstreperous? Ceist agam ort, a Eagarthoir! - Yours, etc., Sean de Bhulbh,
South Circular Road, Limerick.