Sir, – My son – who is in fifth class in primary school – came home today with the news that a Ukrainian boy has started in his class, and that everyone is enjoying helping him settle in.
No doubt this is the case throughout the country.
The news called to mind a memory my late grandfather shared with me. During the first World War, he was about the age my son is now, and our hometown of Bray hosted Belgian refugee families.
Grandad made friends with a boy named Louis and met up with him a number of times throughout his life whenever Louis revisited Bray, having gone back to Belgium in 1919 with fond memories of the seaside town.
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We have always been a welcoming, friendly people; let’s hope that, despite the terrible circumstances behind their arrival, our Ukrainian guests will fondly remember their time here for long into the future. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN QUIGLEY,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9.