On arriving in Dublin from ‘the country’, many years ago, I was struck, among other things, by the range, variety and beauty of the front gardens that bedecked many areas of the city. These provided beautiful spectacles of colour, especially in Spring and Autumn.

Your correspondent Bob Quinn (Letters, January 1) has highlighted the nonsensical “system” of speed limit signage on Ireland’s roads. 

You suggested Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly, had indicated a second free pre-school year would not be introduced until 2020 “at least”. This is not correct.

My postman has brought me some letters from people concerned about rights of way they have used for years but are now under new ownership.

When the late American showman PT Barnum was asked to what did he owe his great success, he replied; “sure there’s a sucker born every second”.

I switched to TV3 recently where I saw a short episode from Tommy Tiernan and I was absolutely horrified.

This year marks the centenary of the Armenian genocide that cost the lives of up to a million people. What makes this genocide so important is that because it was so “successful” from an Ottoman Turk point of view, it became a blueprint for genocide.

I was saddened but not surprised at the abusive behaviour of the carers at Áras Attracta.

The people in Aras Attracta had no voice. The behaviour of those ‘care workers’ is appalling and warrants criminal prosecution.

I think it’s great that the United States is starting to thaw relations with the last country from the Cold War, Cuba.