Sir, - I was greatly saddened to read, in your issue of March 19th, that Dracula is taking precedence over St Colmcille in this, the 1,400th anniversary of his death, despite many representations to An Post, seeking recognition in a similar way to the English Post Office which saw fit to issue a commemorative stamp.
Fortunately, we are not all like An Post. Many are involved in organising a major pilgrimage beginning in Canterbury on May 25th and concluding in Derry on St Columba's Day, after following a route through Ireland from Rosslare.
Here in Kells, the Meath Archaeological Society has hosted a talk on St Columba, while on April 11th the Kells Community School Historical Society is hosting a lecture by Ester De Wall in conjunction with the Church of Ireland Kells Union of Parishes. It is hoped that we will all use this year to reflect on our unique Celtic Christian heritage. - Yours, etc.,
The Rectory,
Kells, Co Meath.