Sir, - The Irish Times must be commended for its recent report on Prof Donald Akenson's speech on alleged historical Irish collaboration with imperialism. The letter from Prof Mary C. King is another stimulating contribution.
As a participant in the UCC conference on emigration, I should like to point out that, at the final plenary session, Prof Akenson modified his presentation. This was due to widespread rejection of his thesis that the Irish in some way supported imperialism.
For example, Dr Mary Hickman questioned if the legion of Irish female domestics could in any way be accused of being co-imperialists. - Yours, etc.,
Marble Hall Park, Cork.