A Chara, - I have taken my holidays in Ireland every year for more than ten years now for many reasons: the mild weather; friendly people; beautiful scenery; and a Carlow-born psychologist husband and his wonderful family. I truly love Ireland. However, Breda O'Brien might have written an account of my own experiences of travelling with our daughter in Ireland ("100,000 welcomes, except to hungry children", August 10th).
It is time that restaurateurs and B&B owners in Ireland realised that many people enjoy travelling with their children (or have no other choice) and that they deserve appropriate service. This might include a non-smoking environment, high chairs, real food in child-sized servings (and child-sized prices), plastic cups and drawing materials at the table. Nothing on this short list is unusual but they are all usually absent from Irish restaurants, hotels and B&Bs. Just about every restaurant in New York provides crayons and paper at the table setting. Most have free refills for juices (Irish customers are lucky to get one apple or orange juice).
Go raibh maith agat, Breda. Bord Failte, and all of the hospitality providers in Ireland, take note. Keep Ireland fun and welcome families. - Is mise,
Maryjo-Ann Maxwell, Long Island, New York, USA.