A chara, – On a whim, a friend of mine and I recently decided to cycle the length of Ireland (circa 600km from Mizen Head to Malin Head) to raise money for the Aware and Jack Jill charities. Despite having little or no preparation time and an equally short time to raise funds, we successfully completed our cycle in six days, raising over €2,000. In collecting such an amount I saw what President Higgins referred to when he eloquently described the Irish as being “warm people, with a firm sense of common decency” in his inauguration speech.
Despite being in the depths of a recession, the Irish people are still generous, selfless and charitable towards others who are in need. Long may such decency last. – Is mise,
MICHAEL KEANE,
Grange Abbey Drive,
Donaghmede, Dublin 13.