Madam, - I greatly enjoy Shane Hegarty's "Irishology" column each Saturday. I suspect that exaggeration and stereotyping are prerequisites for his copy, and that probably goes for most humorous writing. But his recent piece on plumbers was an exaggeration too far, in my view.
He lauded the manual dexterity of east Europeans - the Poles in particular - while lampooning the home-grown species. Yet Irish building craftsmen have a huge reputation internationally, and are regularly podium-bound at craft competitions throughout the world.
I retired recently from the personnel department of a large UK construction company. We actively recruited Irish carpenters, Irish electricians, Irish plumbers - but in a covert way, as we couldn't be seen to show discrimination. My boss used ask me: "Any Micks on board?" If I told him I'd found an Irish plasterer, the man would positively salivate.
Speaking as an Englishman, I can say that you Irish have a building skills talent that is the envy of so much of the world. An American multi-millionaire once commissioned us with the following request: "I want an English-designed house, with German materials, built by an Irish crew". It is no coincidence that many of the top foremen on building sites from Vancouver to London, and from Berlin to New York, are Irish.
If Mr Hegarty bemoans the fact that Irish plumbers are near-impossible to get, it's probably because they are in excessive demand. The Golden Pages and Independent Directory have lists of plumbers to call on, and your local hardware store can easily refer you to someone in your area. Or ask a neighbour (best of all).
Since I've retired here with my Irish wife, I am more than content to know the craftsmen who pass through my door are of a damn good standard. - Yours, etc,
DAVID FIELDING, Strand St, Skerries, Co Dublin.