Irish ballet is not dead

HAVING noted the comments made regarding ballet in Ireland on a recent omnibus edition of RTÉ’s Fair City, I was dismayed to see that the message seemed to be that ballet is non-existent in Ireland.

Although we may not have an Irish State Ballet Company we do have the Irish National Youth Ballet Co where the talent and enthusiasm of young dancers are nurtured and developed by teachers of the highest calibre.

The Youth Ballet Company’s performance of the ‘Nutcracker’ at the West Cork Arts Centre in Skibbereen on January 18 and 19 next will be a treat for all ballet lovers.

When Ireland eventually has a state ballet company, members of the Irish National Youth Ballet Co will be ready and willing to help make it a company that the nation can be proud of.

Angela Mennella,

13, Stamer Street,

Portobello,

Dublin 8.