Sir, - Kevin Myers is wrong (October 24th) in attributing authorship of the titles Aosdana and Saoi to Anthony Cronin. This nomenclature, together with
Toscaire and Cnuas, were adopted by an Chomhairle Ealaion/The Arts Council on my recommendation when the collective of creative artists in Ireland was being constituted by the council.
The concepts formalised by the council at the time were innovative, and it was felt that the terminology to be used should reflect this. The Irish language offered imaginative and appropriate descriptions, and I put forward a number of options from which the four terms were selected.
Aosdana is a modern, unique and effective institution which defines an important relationship between the State and the contemporary arts in establishing it, there was no intention or attempt to reinvent an imagined world of bards and kings", although a gold tore was chosen as its emblem and logo. That the Irish language has no actual cultural resonances for Mr Myers comes as no surprise. Perhaps he has not heard of Clan nod or De Dononn? - Yours, etc..
Department of Arts. Culture and the Gaeltacht
Office of the Minister Mespil Road, Dublin 4.