Sir, - Now that Asgard has been allowed to escape from nearly a quarter-of-a-century of national neglect into the hands of people dedicated to make her sail again, it is to be hoped that Irish people will rally around Harry Crosbie and the Asgard Restoration Project to raise the funds for her restoration.
It would also be a holy and wholesome thought if those who know the whereabouts of elements of Asgard's original fittings that were removed from her at the time of her decommissioning were to move to have them returned to her so that as much as possible of the original vessel can be be put back in its proper place.
It has to be a source of national rejoicing that moves are finally afoot that will lead to the splendid sight of Erskine Childers's beautiful yacht once again embracing the waves under a cloud of white canvas. - Yours, etc.,
Tim Magennis, Springhill Park, Killiney, Co Dublin.
A chara, - Since no one has done this, please allow me through your Letters page to thank the members of the former Kilmainham Jail Restoration Society, without whom there would be no Asgard to leave "neglected" and "rotting" in the jail. The famous yacht would have become part of the eco-system some time in the 1970s, thus rendering useless the present debate of who allowed her to "languish" or of what to do with her at all. - Yours, etc.,
Eabhan Ni Shuileabhain, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.