Madam, - In response to recent letters from readers in Dublin and Kerry, we in Claregalway also have a very fine crop of ragwort on the roadsides this summer.
There is plenty of time to admire it for the 35,000 motorists a day passing through, thanks to the lack of a bypass. - Yours, etc,
MADELEINE FLANAGAN, Lakeview, Claregalway, Co Galway.
Madam, - You published two letters on August 10th about ragwort. When I was growing up, everyone called it buachalán.
Recently, you reported on extensive "gorse fires". Gorse? We always had furze fires in the south, while whins burned in the northern half of the country. Why are we hell-bent on giving up everything that is unique to Ireland? - Yours, etc,
MA MacNAMARA, Newgarden, Castleconnell, Co Limerick.