To all the guests of this country, here is a rhyming letter just to say Ireland is yours and mine

The letters that appear in this section contain important words.

hey are the voices of the few speaking to many.

Letters written by anyone and addressed to everyone.

I have written many letters in my life.

They were sent to friends and lovers, to significant people and everyone else.

My letters arise from feelings and are an exercise in the search for meaning.

My voice is loudest when spoken softly on the pages of your newspaper.

These letters often contain questions, but I never received an answer.

Letters to me must remain unopened as I do not have a fixed address as I am a regular guest.

My home is yours because Ireland is mine.

I live on the south coast, on the windswept beach framed by the sea.

On the winds of the western seas I dance beneath diamond skies With white ladies blowing free With the corncrake and his natural symphony.

My heart is made up of several shades of green and my blood from the rivers that flow through it.

I breathe the air of ancient forests and my home is surrounded by coasts and cliffs.

My stove is warmed by the rising sun and when the salmon come I join them and run.

My home is yours because Ireland is mine, but only for a short time.

Although it is rare for a visitor to receive a letter, I address it to all guests.

To the names that have been here for centuries and those that are yet to come.

To those who might see Ireland with new eyes.

To the guests who are visiting, to those passing through, to the guest in all of us.

I address these words to you.

I send these letters as skipping rolls of rhyme.

Because Ireland is yours and mine.

But only for a short time.

Elliot McCarthy, address with the publisher

When the protocol ends, access to the UK’s internal market must also end

I understood that when Boris Johnson Having negotiated the Brexit deal with the European Union, after which Britain would leave the EU, an important concession the EU had made to Britain was that even if Britain left the Union, it would still have access to the single market.

I have meanwhile read an article by a highly respected economist in which he outlined the insurance premium income the UK insurance industry was making from selling policies to customers in the remaining 27 EU countries, which amounted to an enormous sum.

If the EU continues to deliver on the terms it has agreed with Britain, it has a right to expect the reverse to also apply, including the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Certainly then, if Britain passes legislation ending the Protocol, all British companies, including those in Northern Ireland, will lose access to the Single Market.

Brendan Casserly, Bishopstown, Co Cork

Almost the perfect 10 for Liverpool, but for a text

According to Manchester United After losing 4-0 to Liverpool on Tuesday after suffering a 5-0 defeat earlier, the United goalkeeper is said to have received a text message from his wife during the game which read: “Come before 10 home”.

Leo Gormley, Dundalk, Co Louth

Reunite Ireland and end the rule of the British monarchy

I liked Gerard Walsh’s letter (Irish Independent, April 21). Although I am English, nominally Protestant and a staunch Republican, I was delighted that Her Majesty The Queen was celebrating her 96th birthday and I hope that she celebrates it
marks its centenary and is still on the throne in 2026.

After that there should be an elected head of state, as is the case in the Republic of Ireland, which is more democratic than Britain. The House of Lords should be abolished in favor of an elected Senate.

It would be truly groundbreaking if Sinn Féin could win the Northern Ireland election and Michelle O’Neill could become First Minister.

A referendum on Irish reunification is due to be held within two years, which will hopefully result in a yes vote.

A reunited Ireland governed from Dublin is the only acceptable solution with protection for the Protestant minority that is an integral part of the Emerald Isle.

Dominic Shelmerdine, London

The Greens are stuck with no-contact activism

All country people know that you can get the man out of the swamp, but you can’t get the swamp out of the man. Green party Activists, please copy.

Brendan Dunleavy, Killeshandra, Co Cavan

Lawn mowing ban is small beer compared to the use of coal

Referring to Friday’s editorial (“We Can Make Change to Avert Climate Disaster,” April 22), I propose that we will continue to experience grand challenges of climate change until all countries of the world come to an agreement on this issue.

Of course, Ireland should do its part on climate change, but until the biggest carbon-emitting countries – which have the most coal-fired power plants – agree on a common approach on this issue, we are facing a brick wall.

There are more than 1,100 coal-fired power plants in operation in China alone. India has 285, the US 240 and Japan 91. At last October’s climate change conference in Glasgow, two of these countries pushed back on coal phase-out.

In the face of such opposition to reducing coal use, Ireland’s peat-cutting ban is on Ha’penny Square.

Tom Towey, Cloonacool, Co Sligo

Neutrality was, and still is, the right move for Ireland

As criticism of Ireland’s policy of neutrality, both current and historical, continues, it is understandably difficult for some to imagine the state of public opinion on the issue of Irish neutrality during the Second World War.

As the world grapples with the appalling conflict in Ukraine, there has been much comment on the morality of our policy of neutrality in 1939-1945 and our current position.

There are some who even see Ireland’s stance during the Second World War as less neutral and more pro-Nazi.

These critics are not referring to Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and Sweden, which pursued a policy of neutrality, while most nations involved in the war remained neutral until attacked or attacked, including the US and the Soviet Union.

During the war years, the aftermath of the post-Anglo-Irish partition partition was still vivid in the public consciousness, as it had only been 17 years since the guns of the civil war had died down, and a bitter bloodbath for both sides. The British were still the common enemy.

Dáil Éireann’s decision, not just that of Éamon de Valera or the government, to remain neutral has in all likelihood prevented a second civil war from breaking out here.

Critics ignore the fact that all political parties in the Dáil endorsed the policy of neutrality. In fact, only one TD, James Dillon, expressed disapproval of our neutrality. Even those Dáil members who were strong supporters of the Allied cause – and there were many – voted to remain neutral.

Additionally, proposals by Winston Churchill in 1940 for an offer of a united Ireland in return for Ireland’s entry into the war were rejected by De Valera. Our neutrality, sovereignty and independence were not for sale.

Neutrality probably saved us from being drawn into a terrible war without the ability to defend ourselves.

Tom Cooper, Templeville Road, Dublin 6

Brilliant lyrics from the fearless O’Doherty

I always enjoy reading the back cover article by Ian O’Doherty in the Saturday reviews section. His play “The free society must tolerate Eejitry – it beats the alternative” (Irish IndependentApril 16) was brilliant.

In fact, whether we agree with him or not, many of his brave articles over the years on many contentious issues prove how fortunate we are to live in a democratic and free society where we can all express our views without fear.

Brian McDevitt, Glenties, Co Donegal