Sir, – While I would not have put it quite as colourfully as Gabriel Byrne (Front page, November 6th), I must agree with him when he opines that The Gathering is nothing other than a shakedown of the Irish Diaspora.
Likewise, the recent sale of Heritage Certificates left me cold. These gimmicks only serve to cheapen something I treasure – my Irishness! I am sure the world looks on in bewilderment at this attempt to market this little nation in such a tawdry fashion – which smacks of desperation. There is no need for gimmickry; our greatest resource are our citizens – let them do the necessary marketing and leave the gimmicks to others. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Wouldn’t it be more honest if “The Gathering” were renamed “The Whip-Round”? Come home to Mother Ireland and help pay for the elite’s private debts. Then take a hike back to America, England or Oz. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Is there a partisan element to Gabriel Byrne’s dismissal of The Gathering (Ronan McGreevy, November 6th)? After all, he was happy to act as cultural ambassador for the previous government. No doubt in that role there was a certain amount of “shakedown” involved in promoting the arts. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – It seems that The Gathering is in danger of scattering even before we can be part of it (Front page, November 6th). Have we really transformed our island of saints and scholars into an island of scams and (your) dollars? – Yours, etc,