Writer who could see the dangers ahead

FRANK O’CONNOR was scathingly critical of those who neglected Ireland’s heritage and of the educational system which leaves the Irish in such ignorance of their rich history.

He wrote: “No one who does not love the sense of the past should ever come near us” (Holiday magazine, December, 1949).

He denounced the modern despoilers and “businessmen with an eye to the main chance.”

O’Connor expressed his great love of Ireland’s landscape where there is a “story behind the monuments which you will see on every hand.”

He recounted the verse of a 9th century poet who wrote from the quiet valley of Tara:

“Tonight at least the wind is high.

The seas’ white mane a fury.

I need not fear the hordes of hell cross the Irish Channel. ”

How shocking that it is the Taoiseach and his minister for the environment who now unleash the hordes of hell to desecrate and despoil this most sacred spot in Ireland.

Robert F Lyons

3A Gibson Terrace

Cambridge

Massachusetts 02138

USA