Famine study has no bite

Regarding your article ‘Detected blight strain linked to Great Famine’, I ask ‘what we are to do with this information’?

Gasp in awe at modern science and petition our public representatives for more funding for such dedicated researchers? They might benefit from primary research, namely harvesting the subject of their passion (the common spud) on a cold and wet October night. Sir Walter Raleigh, a leading agricultural scientist of his day, introduced the potato to this country, with devastating, inadvertent consequences.

Even if the scientists are incapable of learning from their failings, we should. What does knowing which strand of blight caused the famine do for Irish agriculture? Or, is this the published findings of the tribunal set up shortly after the famine? Who is paying for this research? I am more interested in knowing what this ‘insight’ has cost, and what these people are earning.

John Quinn

Newmarket-on-Fergus

Co Clare