Sir, - The people of Carnacon should be congratulated and aided in their efforts to restore both Moore Hall and the fame of the Moore family to their former glory. With the support of both the Department of Tourism and the Department of the Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Moore Hall could prove to be a greater attraction than Joyce's Tower and Yeats's Thoor Ballylee. Like these tourist Meccas, Moore Hall has been immortalised by a brilliant writer. The Hall's other historical interests only add to its appeal.
The author, George Moore, does not currently enjoy the fame that his work merits. He introduced naturalism to English literature, set the standards for the Irish short story, and created much of the form and technique of modern literature. He wasn't so much the "ambassador" of the Irish literary revival as the star attraction at the time. He was courted by Yeats because he had already achieved international fame. Many considered him to be the greatest living author in the English language during the early decades of this century.
Unfortunately, most readers today only encounter him in the caricatures drawn by his contemporaries, many of whom were seeking revenge for their own comic portrayal in Moore's Hail and Farewell. Copies of his greatest novels are difficult to find, and even the graduate programmes at Irish universities limit themselves to a discussion of one or two of his early works with, perhaps, a short story or a mention of Hail and Farewell thrown in for good measure.
Surely the State should ensure that Moore's place in Ireland's cultural heritage is preserved. One way of doing so is to preserve his home. By making such a public endorsement of his art, the State may encourage visitors from both here and abroad to read his works. Moore's genius should do the rest. By the way, your reporter incorrectly identified Colonel Maurice Moore as the author's son. George Moore had no legitimate children, and only rumours of illegitimate children exist. He did, however, "sire" many literary offspring. Among the first born was James Joyce. - Yours, etc.,
Lower Kimmage Road,
Dublin 6W.