A chara, - As a Francis Ledwidge fan, I am delighted at the interest in the poet of the Boyne as indicated by letters in your columns including that from Rosemary Yore (March 17th). The divisive tone of recent publicity, however, is regrettable.
Thanks to the people of Slane and their committee for ensuring that Janeville became the Ledwidge Museum. On a sunny Sunday in the cottage garden during the centenary celebrations in 1987, an oak tree was planted to commemorate the poet. His nephew Joe Ledwidge sang a happy song to express the joyous mood of the occasion.
Credit is also due to the Inchicore Ledwidge Society, and especially Liam O'Meara for stimulating interest in the poet.
On a recent visit with a British group to the war graves of First World War poets in Flanders and France, I spoke about Ledwidge. The tour participants were very enthusiastic about his poetry. There was a similar reaction at the "Anthem for Doomed Youth" exhibition at the Imperial War Museum, London.
The visitors' book there included positive comments about Ledwidge, the only Irish poet included in the exhibition. A topical note was struck by the visitors' comments about war and their hopes against hope that such tragedies would never happen again. - Is mise,
TONY QUINN,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.