Richard Hogan: In the age of instant communication getting children to write letters is a gift

I still remember handwritten letters I received from summer pals back in the 90s

Richard Hogan. Photograph: Moya Nolan

The summer of 1992 was golden. I spent two weeks of it in Castlegregory, in Co Kerry, hanging around the shops, playing music in the little pool room around the back, and running free on the wild beaches with friends I had just made. 

The stars at night — the absolute blackness of the night, the absence of street lights — revealed a night sky I had never seen before. The stars were right on top of your head.