Old Irishat UCD

Madam, - In response to Prof Liam Mac Mathúna's article "These are exciting times for Irish language studies" ( Opinion &amp…

Madam, - In response to Prof Liam Mac Mathúna's article "These are exciting times for Irish language studies" ( Opinion & Analysis, June 6th), I wish to make it clear that the views expressed therein are not shared by all members of the School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore and Linguistics at UCD.

I have consistently voiced my opposition to the decisions not to fill the chair of Old Irish and to discontinue Old Irish as a full degree subject. The proposed strategies for Early Irish in UCD outlined by Prof Mac Mathúna are in my view wholly inadequate and I fully share the concerns expressed by so many of your correspondents on this issue. - Yours, etc,

Dr CAOIMHÍN BREATNACH, Senior Lecturer, School of Irish, Celtic  Studies, Irish Folklore and Linguistics, UCD,  Dublin 4.