A chara, – It was a pleasure to read Suzanne Lynch’s feature on Wagner’s opera Tristan and Isolde (Magazine, September 29th).
I was particularly interested in the Irish connection, and the fact that Isolde’s name is remembered in Chapelizod. This is now rendered as Seipéal Iosóid but until three years ago the signposts pointed towards a more correctly named Séipéal Iosóilde. Why this change took place is a mystery to me.
I contacted Dublin City Council, which informed me that they had abdicated the naming of streets to the Placenames Branch of the Department of the Gaeltacht. Whenever I write to the Placenames Branch I never get a reply. Does it still exist? Another Isolde connection is in Exchange Street, close to the remains of Isolde’s Tower in Temple Bar, A recently erected sign proclaims that this is now Sráid an Mhalartáin while at the top of the street two street signs still have the correct Irish version of Sráid Iosóilde. Essex Gate up until recently had the Irish form of Geata Iosóilde.
The connection with King Arthur and his Knights has obvious tourism potential and could add an extra cultural dimension to the Temple Bar area. – Is mise,
PAT GARRY,
Wainsfort Manor Drive,
Terenure,
Dublin 6W.