Sir, – As we observe our 2023 vegetable garden progress, we are grateful to our almost acre. It has served us well over many years. We are grateful too that our wild flower section is full of promise and that the white-thorn trees are rich in colour and aroma. The buzzing of the busy bees tells us that our neighbours’ hives will yield a rich harvest. All of those wonderful happenings are so for us because of Michael Viney (“Michael Viney obituary: A life of self-sufficiency and curiosity in Ireland’s wild west”, May 31st). His weekly column has inspired us and many more to try and live in harmony with bountiful nature. We are deeply grateful for his words, drawings and kindly wisdom. Thanks to The Irish Times for allowing us to share his thoughts and vision.
We extend our sympathy to Ethna and Michele and hope that their consolation will, at least in part, be his life so well lived informing and inspiring his many fortunate readers. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL GLEESON,
KATHLEEN GLEESON,
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Clasheen,
Killarney,
Co Kerry.
Sir, – I visited Michael and Ethna at their home in Co Mayo when I was carrying out fieldwork for the Atlas of Winter Birds in Britain and Ireland. I was warmly welcomed, given tea and biscuits, and they both agreed to carry out fieldwork for the survey in their area. That was in 1982. I remember it as if it were yesterday. – Yours, etc,
SEÁN FLEMING,
Ballycotton,
Co Cork.
