A chara, - In her report from Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the honorary doctorate in civil law conferred on President McAleese by St Mary's University (The Irish Times, October 10th), Renagh Holohan highlighted references by the president of the university, Dr Kenneth L. Ozmon, to the historical connections between Ireland and the university. It is unfortunate that she did not also highlight both Prof McAleese's and Dr Ozmon's comments about the ongoing connections.
St Mary's University is the home of the D'Arcy McGee Chair of Irish Studies, which offers the only undergraduate degree in Irish Studies in Canada. Established in 1986, the chair has sought to allow Canadians of Irish extraction the opportunity to explore their cultural heritage as it relates both to their ancestral homeland and to their experiences as immigrants. The chair's motto, "Cuimhnigh ar ar nOidhreacht" (Remember our Inheritance), points both to the past and to the present.
It is no coincidence that this university honoured the President of Ireland. It is no coincidence that Mary McAleese honoured us with her presence. - Is mise, Cyril Byrne,Co-ordinator, Padraig O Siadhail,
Chairholder, St Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.