Sir, - On May 28th Protestant citizens of the Republic of Ireland will parade in Dublin's Dawson Street. A plaque will be unveiled at a building central to the founding of the Orange Order 200 years ago. The Dublin and Wicklow Lodge of the Order is inviting representatives from outside our State to mark this occasion.
This event, and our attitude towards it, will be as much a mirror of us as a nation as is our celebration of St Patrick's Day, the GAA All-Ireland Finals, or our recent successes in the Six Nations rugby championships. Let us ensure that we are not ashamed of this reflection. Let us celebrate this historic event with our fellow citizens and their guests, showing the real spirit of openness, tolerance, and inclusiveness inherent in an egalitarian republic with growing religious, cultural and racial diversity. - Yours, etc.,
Anne Holliday, Dargle Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.