Sir, - I agree wholeheartedly with John Ducie of An Taisce and Terence Reeves-Smyth of Larne, Co Antrim (May 12th). Of all the country estates in Ireland, Carton is by far the most important with regard to history, culture and heritage and is intrinsically linked to Leinster House, our seat of government. A number of the children of Emily, Duchess of Leinster, were born in Leinster House, others at Carton, among them Lord Edward Fitzgerald. It was from Carton House that she wrote to her father, the Duke of Richmond, to intercede with the King to ask Lord Camden to allow her visit her dying son in Newgate Prison.
Where is our Ministry for Arts, Culture and Heritage? Is it not aware of the awful tragedy that may befall Carton? The majority of people visiting Ireland do not come to visit golf-courses and certainly not housing estates! They come to visit our beautiful landscapes, historic monuments, great houses and works of art. In every sense of the word, Carton surely is a treasure in that regard.
I appeal to the Government: do not let this happen. Be leaders in the fight and do something worthwhile. If what I read is allowed to happen, Carton will be no more and that lovely house and its landscaped parkland will be gone forever. God knows we have destroyed enough already. Why should we keep doing so - especially now, when we are told every week that Government coffers are awash with money? - Yours, etc.,
Mary O'Connor, Ailesbury Road, Dublin 4.