Sir, - When a guest is invited into a house, the host and/or hostess usually do the very best they can to make that person feel at home. I cannot understand why many people are upset that the Government should use Farmleigh as a State guesthouse, because it not only provides a haven for visiting dignitaries but for the ordinary people who will visit it in the years ahead.
I wonder that no criticism has been levelled at the previous owners whose successful business in the drinks trade financed such a fine house.
It fell into a poor state of disrepair and badly needed redecoration.
This was a family home that has become a nation's house and we should be proud of it. - Yours, etc.,
┴ine Holt, Pβirc Radharc na Coille, Caisleβn Cnucha, Baile ┴tha Cliath 15.