Sir, - With reference to the debacle of our patron saint by calling his feast day "by the derogatory term `Paddy's Day"' as stated by Mr Crawford (March 30th). I would like to express the opinion that rather than being derogatory the term is one of affection.
Mr Crawford pointed out that the Scots, Welsh and English all fail to refer to their respective patron saints by such abbreviated names. I would suggest that perhaps this is not because they have more respect for their patron saints, but less. All the aforementioned peoples fail to celebrate the feast days of their patron saints with anything more than the closing of their banks. Conversely we in Ireland (and also all those who have the remotest claim to an Irish ancestry) are famed for demonstrating our collective admiration of and respect for St. Patrick by the cessation of all work and dedication of an entire day of festivities in celebration of him every March 17th.
I think, given this much closer relationship that we have with our patron saint, it is only natural that we should, as with any close friend, refer to him by his abbreviated name. - Yours, etc., Victoria Barker,
Broomfield, Malahide, Co. Dublin.