Sir, – Frank McNally highlighted the role of the Irish National Foresters in nationalist politics (Opinion & Analysis, February 16th). The society also gave money to unemployed members, as well as a death benefit that paid for funeral expenses. In 1905, Glasnevin cemetery agreed to send over soil to the society’s Liverpool branch, ensuring that the first sprinkling of clay on the coffins of deceased members would be from Ireland.
Leopold Bloom highlighted the importance of the homeplace as he walked through Glasnevin: “Lay me in my native earth. Bit of clay from the holy land”.
How prescient in these days of strife. – Yours, etc,
PATRICK CALLAN,
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Portmarnock,
Co Dublin.
