‘Clag’, midges and horse-flies

Sir, – I wouldn't know if "clag" is peculiar to Leitrim (Kieran O'Rourke, December 10th) but I do know it was "cleg" in Derry. And many a time, like him, I was bitten by them and midges, especially on outdoor scouting activities when shorts were the order of the day. Again, like Kieran's experience, it was a long time ago! – Yours, etc,

CHRISTIE COLHOUN,

Ballymena, Co Antrim.

Sir, – In response to a reader's query about the use of the word "clag" for horsefly, my mother from Lincolnshire used to call them "cleggs". It is an Old Norse word, and is klegg in modern Norwegian. – Yours, etc,

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BRIAN HODKINSON,

Reboge, Limerick.