Short volley

YOUR ‘Great Irish Speeches’ series (September 20/21) was wonderful.

However, you omitted the shortest, yet strongest, address of all.

In September 1917, Michael Collins spoke at the graveside of the martyred Thomas Ashe.

After the Last Post and the firing of a volley of shots, Collins said simply: “That volley we have just heard is the only speech it is proper to make over the grave of a dead Fenian.”

JA Barnwell

St Patrick’s Road

Dublin 9