I have the following correspondence from the late Brian Friel through my association with the Glenties Drama Group:

Regarding RTÉ’s programme, Recruits — there is absolutely nothing brave, manly or courageous about bad language.

With regard to the ‘Find the #littlethings that protect your mental health’ campaign, let me personally confirm that doing so makes a huge difference to how we feel and cope with life.

Kevin Devitte writes of Croagh Patrick (Irish Examiner, Letters, July 30): “It’s for those who seek God in bare feet”.

The sudden closing of Clerys has shocked many people, especially older customers, who loved nothing more than to browse around or have a coffee in this lovely, iconic department store.

I am 64 years of age and have reviewed my life many times. I decided, many years ago, that the worst catastrophe to befall me, in fact the catastrophe that had broken my life and made it difficult to survive, was to have been sent away to be educated at two boarding schools, for ten years of my young life.

I am shocked that you published Bernard J Egan’s letter (Irish Examiner, Tuesday May 12), a dreadful insult to all the many happy married couples in this country with no family — and those unable to procreate.

I received a speeding fine by post last week. It was €80. I do not speed — end of story.

Recent reports that a big percentage of nurses in our hospitals are being bullied on a daily basis is very disturbing. 

Jen is just one of my lovely nieces.

In this country, Charlie Haughey was God, particularly in rural Ireland.

Watching the All-Island School Choir Competition for the last few Sunday evenings on RTÉ has been an absolute joy.

I read the headline: “United land Falcao on €335,000 a week”. Is there something not quite right about that? Or is it just me? Madness — pure madness.

What a wonderful World Cup.

It was sad, and somewhat ironic, to hear Anthony O’Reilly described by AIB bank as "insolvent" (June 24).

If we apply the criteria of the prevailing culture to the non-jailing of the two Anglo-Irish executives, then Judge Martin Nolan’s decision was really not a surprise.

Can there be anything worse than losing a child?

I watched Imelda May’s first show on RTE, (Sunday 16th March).

May I just refer to a very worrying, and in my opinion, dangerous organisation called “Pure in Heart”, going around the country giving sex education talks in schools, using scare tactics like sellotaping teens’ wrists together before ripping the dirty tape off — to signify the importance of sexual abstinence.

I agree with Brian McDevitt that group chairman Brian Kerr’s salary is too much for his work in Rehab.

I would like to congratulate the wonderful Louise O’Keeffe on her successful case in the European Court of Human Rights, which helped give recognition to children’s rights.

The survey of over 40 charities in Ireland recently showed us that most of the CEOs are paid around €100,000 a year.

Watching the School Choir of the Year Competition, on RTÉ on recent Sunday evenings, has been a joy. The choirs have been of a very high standard.

Brian Dobson’s interview with Bill Clinton last week, on the Six One news, was awe-inspiring.

I recently received a letter from Justice Minister Alan Shatter’s office, following a query I made about the Magdalene Laundries and about financial contributions by the religious orders.

I listened to Enda Kenny at the opening of the Macgill Summer School in Glenties, recently and was pleasantly surprised and impressed.

I cannot believe the Government can do nothing about the refusal of religious orders to compensate the victims of the dreadful Magdalene Laundries.