Sir, - Judging from the response in your letters page, Ray Monaghan's idea of planting four great forests to mark the Millennium (letter, February 11th) is perhaps a seed that may yet germinate. That the forests our ancestors knew might stand once again, to offer magnificence and awe to our descendants, is a dream worthy of pursuit.
A great forest in each province of Ireland would preserve native flora, provide space for wildness, and remove millions of tons of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere. Such a project would also be symbolic as only the planting of trees can be, signifying faith in the future and demonstrating our capacity for long term thought. The concept is simple enough to be easily grasped and "owned" by all sectors of society, notably children, while the inclusion of Ulster adds a cross border dimension.
I would be delighted to hear from anymore interested in following this idea further. I can be reached at (0402) 33621. We are already leaving a legacy of waste, extinct species, and a destabilised climate to those who come after us. Perhaps a millennial gift of forests for the future might redeem us somewhat in their eyes. - Yours, etc.,
Ferrybank, Arklow.