Madam, - I agree with Andrew Robinson (September 3rd) on following local practice regarding the pronunciation of a place-name. Having been born and bred just over the border in Ballyouskill, Co Kilkenny, some 15 miles from Portlaoise, I can confirm that the traditional pronunciation is with a silent "e". RTÉ in recent years introduced the "eh"- why, I do not know.
Indeed, until the late 1940s, Portlaoise was called Maryborough, or more affectionately referred to locally as "Marbara". - Yours, etc,
James P. Brennan,
Hollybrook Road,
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Dublin 3.