Sir, – Perhaps it is time for some divine inspiration in relation to additional funding for our museums. Some years ago when in Rome and the Vatican, we took the opportunity to visit many of the landmark churches there.
While entrance to the churches was free (though not into the Vatican museums), the church authorities introduced a rather clever wheeze – in gloomier parts of the churches, one puts a coin in a slot and, presto, famous works of art are illuminated for about one minute. This has a two-pronged result; the works of art are not exposed to harmful levels of light over long periods and, equally important, it gives visitors the option of deciding what objects they wish to view in detail, or not.
Now there’s an idea for the National Museum of Ireland to chew on over Christmas. – Yours, etc,
PATRICK JUDGE,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.