Dublin’s shabby College Green

Sir, – As an example of further capitulation by the city authorities to the lawlessness of Dublin’s streets, the public fountain by Edward Delaney commemorating the life of Thomas Davis has not functioned for years.

Facing the Davis effigy across College Green are the figures of two former fellow Trinity students, Burke and Goldsmith, whose environments have suffered a drastic change of fortune. For decades these wonderful life-size sculptures stood on their plinths within small emerald patches that added to the appeal of Trinity’s facade as thousands of visitors passed through the gates to view the Book of Kells and the other attractions of the college.

But now the figures stand forlorn in unsightly patches of uncut grass and ugly weeds. This is no oasis of wild flowers to alleviate global warming, but a sad and depressing sight in Dublin’s most important public plaza.

The scene recalls many sentiments from Goldsmith’s greatest work:

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“Sunk are thy bowers, in shapeless ruin all,

And the long grass o’ertops the mouldering wall.” – Yours, etc,

DERMOTT BARRETT,

Ballsbridge,

Dublin 4.