A chara, – Fair play to John Higgins for paying tribute to the memory of Irish Shipping Ltd (August 10th). This was a proud and venerable national enterprise and its brave establishment was in keeping with the immortal words of George Bernard Shaw, “But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’.”
The company’s demise was a tragic loss for Ireland but its success over four decades might serve as an example, in these debilitating times, of what Irish governments can accomplish with a bit of vision and imagination.
My first job, as a lad of 17, was as post-boy for Irish Shipping and Mr Higgins was my kind and forbearing boss. I was particularly proud of working on his project, “Follow the Fleet,” wherein every Monday we posted a package to hundred of schools across the country. These packages contained maps and markers indicating the location of each of our ships, its cargo, destination and the path it was taking.
Thousands of school-children across the land followed the Irish fleet in its travels across the globe.
This was not alone a fantastic learning tool for teachers and their students. It was also a means of inspiring a sense of national cohesion and it instilled some pride in children for the doings of their leaders and their nation.
God be with the days. – Is mise,
BRENDAN LANDERS,
Marian Park,
Baldoyle,
Dublin 13.