Madam, - Contrary to your St Patrick's Day Editorial, the previous consensus on Irishness was never defined as Catholic and nationalist, at least not in the 20th century. That was only ever the view of a small minority; at no point was there a consensus that the likes of Douglas Hyde were not Irish. Is it possible that political correctness has led you to present a numerically dominant characteristic as a nasty old consensus you wish to criticise? - Yours, etc,
CONOR O'NEILL, North Circular Road, Dublin 7.
Madam, - I am aware that last Saturday, being St Patrick's Day, was a time to celebrate much in our country. But was there really such a need repeatedly and uncritically to emphasise the role of those people who are being called the "new Irish"? Both the Magazine and the Weekend Review led with articles on what was essentially the same story: how people from foreign countries had come to live in Ireland. I counted a total of 17 photographs in Saturday's newspaper which were, in some way, related to this theme. At times, reading Saturday's edition, it felt as if this point was being laid on with a trowel so heavily and with such conviction that it seemed like it was the new orthodoxy.
I have no objection to the idea that all people should live in harmony and that our ideal society should be one in which all people can feel valued and respected. However, such a state will not come about because of politically correct journalism and articles on ethnically diverse individuals. Surely the experience of the past few years in Ireland, with the exposure of the intimate relationship that existed between church and State, is that uncritical acceptance of any idea, no matter how benevolent or noble-minded, can ultimately be harmful to a country. - Yours, etc,
DAVID DOYLE, Gilford Park, Sandymount, Dublin 4.
Madam, - Am I alone in failing to see anything remotely amusing in the sight of young adults displaying their sense of "Oirishness" by dressing up as giant green leprechauns and parading through the streets of many Irish towns and cities?
In years past, we laughed and sniggered at the sight of some Americans of dubious Irish ancestry bedecked in jolly green regalia. How times change. No need now to travel to New York or Boston - the new cubs that the Celtic Tiger has spawned are well capable of putting on a "stage Oirish" show for the rest of us. I could never imagine West Indians voluntarily dressing up as golliwogs, so why some Irish people feel the need to do the "stage Oirish" thing never ceases to both amaze and sadden me.
Of course to learn a few phrases of Irish, learn a few Irish songs, or learn to play an Irish tune or two requires effort, as does attempting to learn a little more about our rich cultural heritage that spans more than 1,500 years. Far easier to play the stage Oirishman or woman for the day while getting uproariously drunk on green beer.
In this era of the Celtic Tiger, have we really moved on from the 19th century Punch cartoons, we once found so degrading? - Yours, etc,
PAT BURKE, Goldsmith Terrace, Bray, Co Wicklow.