When geography and politics don’t mix

CIARÁN COSTELLO (Letters, February 24) is unhappy that the Open University describes Ireland as part of “The British Isles” (as indeed do most atlases, dictionaries and encyclopaedias).

Despite what he may think, this is not some dastardly imperialist plot.

“The British Isles” is a geographical, not a political, term so the Open University is not teaching its students that Ireland is British, just as the geographical term “Irish Sea” does not imply that the Isle of Man is Irish.

He might also like to note that “Malay Archipelago” covers no fewer than five countries in addition to Malaysia.

William Mongey

Ard Haven

Waterford