Sir, – Are we reverting to 100 years ago when my grandfather Thomas Walsh, headmaster of Kilmallock Boys School trudged through deep snow to open the school just in case some pupils did turn up? No one came and neither, of course, did the one sod of turf, or log, each pupil had to bring to keep a fire running in the hearth, keeping the school warm.
Later that evening Thomas, grand-da, was found dead from hypothermia. He was in his 50s.
I find it difficult to visualise my own grandchildren having to carry a lump of smokeless coal (one up for Mary Harney – a good legacy) or a Bord na Móna briquette, or even, for kindling, a page from the financial section of The Irish Times, hoping that all the bad news will go up in smoke.
St Patrick, come back, we need you, but this time bring a sprig of clover - we need some good luck. – Yours, etc,