Madam, - Ursula Hough-Gormley (April 9th) rightly draws attention to the consistent denial that the late Lord Edward Longford is responsible for the existence of the Gate theatre today.
For years he kept the Gate open through spending his personal fortune, keeping the actors in employment and the patrons entertained. The latter could book a seat in the last two rows at 10 old pence. Not so in the State-subsidised Abbey - they charged one shilling.
I remember Lord Longford with gratitude. As a teenage theatre-goer from the 1930s onwards I was transported to another world. Lord Edward once said to a relative of mine: "My brother Frank lives in England, makes his money in England and spends it in England and is called an Irish patriot. I live in Ireland, make my money in Ireland and spend my money in Ireland and am called a West Briton".
That perhaps explains why his dedication to keeping the Gate open is ignored. It is time the credit due to Lord Edward and Lady Longford was given by both the Gate and the State. - Yours, etc,
D. DOWNES, Clontarf, Dublin 3.