Sir, - In the 6th century a young man named Kevin established his hermitage below the cliffs on the southern shore of the upper lake in Glendalough. It was the beginning of a great monastic tradition and place of pilgrimagein the valley. Each year thousands of visitors still come.
The very heart of the experience of Glendalough is to stand on the shore of the lake gazing at the quiet splendour of the scene. At that moment people can connect with their need for soulful places in their lives and be aware of a mysterious presence that has become increasingly remote and distant in the frenetic rush of modern living.
In this spiritual place a film set is being constructed to advertise the services of a credit-card company. This is nothing less than a desecration of a sacred space and prompts the question: "Who gave permission for this intrusion - and for what gain?' Is this a sign that we are happy to sell our Celtic soul to the Celtic Tiger? - Yours etc.,
Gill McCarthy, Paulbeg, Shillelagh, Co Wicklow.