Madam, - In his Irishman's Diary of October 7th, Brian Trench writing about the opening last week of the Highlanes Gallery in the former Franciscan friary in Drogheda, rightly paid tribute to the seminal role played by his parents, Bea Orpen and Terry Trench, in establishing the municipal art collection which now, for the first time, has a fitting home.
After visiting the gallery, I can only add that no less tribute is due to the architect Turlough McKevitt, as well as to the current director, Nick Reilly, who has spent many years ensuring that the original vision for the gallery was fully realised. The manner of restoration has meant that a great deal of the character of the church has been preserved.
And what of the Franciscans who donated what would, to the vulgar sensibilities of the Irish developers, be regarded as a valuable "investment property" without thought of financial gain? - Yours, etc,
HELEN COONEY, Slane, Co Meath.