Madam, - In his letter of September 24th concerning our flag and anthem, Daniel Plewman is perfectly right. They were both adopted by a 26-county state and probably would not have been found acceptable had the 32 counties been involved.
However, there are other issues apart from unionist sensibilities. To be sure our flag has an honourable history. It was modelled on the French tricolour and its use dates back to 1848 and the Young Irelanders. And, of course, it symbolises a very laudable ambition - the reconciliation of the Green and Orange elements in Irish society.
Nevertheless, it suffers from a significant disadvantage - it is just one more tricolour in a Europe awash with tricolours. How many of the citizens of the EU could identify the Irish flag or pick it out from all the others? In the event that a united Ireland becomes a likelihood a new agreed flag would most probably have to be adopted. Why not use the harp, which has been a symbol of Ireland since Tudor times, and which is already used in government and presidential contexts? It might also appeal to unionists as a reminder that it was from their community that the initiatives came in the late 18th century to rescue the harp and the "national music" from impending oblivion.
As for the anthem, the present one is a very poor thing, barely saved from musical mediocrity by the decent arrangements in which it is played. Again, a suitable replacement suggests itself. Why not make the spirited air Rose Catha na Mumhanour anthem? Unionists could happily embrace it as it is the air of their own Boyne Water. A suitable text could be commissioned, but not from Phil Coulter. I would suggest that any one of our talented writers of traditional-style songs could do a very good job - Seán Mone, for instance, or Con Ó Drisceoil or Ron Kavana - writers in tune with Irish song styles.
Regarding the harp, it is a pity that the artist who co-ordinated the human harp at Tara, the photograph of which also appeared on the 24th, does not know how the instrument is strung. A glance at the coins in his pocket would have provided the information.
- Yours, etc,
TERRY MOYLAN, Bluebell Road, Dublin 12.