I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the team responsible for implementing the calm and welcoming environment at the St Patrick’s Day procession in Dublin. The attentive and dedicated staff made our day quite memorable. Thanks to the provision of an all-embracing setting, our son with autism was able to relish in the celebration, an experience that would not have been possible without this outstanding effort. This shows the importance of crafting spaces that are inclusive for everyone during massive public events, and these organisers have certainly set a great example.
Many thanks to the St Patrick’s Festival, the Dublin City Council, AsIAm, Neurodiversity Ireland and all those who contributed to the event.
Sincerely,
LORNA WALSH, Sandyford, Dublin 18.
Additionally, I’d like to highlight a problem I noticed during the parade. On our visit, we saw adults monopolising the view while my own children were deprived of enjoying the spectacle.
Yours sincerely,
RUTH HOPKINS, Artane, Dublin 5.
Walking the streets of Dublin post-the St. Patrick’s Day celebration was truly joyous. It was great to see groups of exuberant youths, ever-ready gardening committees and diligent council street cleaners. The evenings of yesteryears have left a distasteful memory of such occasions, so this transformation of the city is commendable.
Sincerely,
JOHN REIDY, Leopardstown, Dublin 18.
Changing gears, Barry Kelly (Letters, March 13th) attempts to debunk the claim that the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin regularly attracts up to half a million spectators. I’d like to counter his argument by highlighting the ability of Dubliners to fit into compact places. He should be aware of how a hundred thousand Dubliners successfully gathered, even in the most cramped spaces, during the Easter Week of 1916.
Yours sincerely,
LIAM STENSON, Galway.
Dear Sir, – Isn’t it overdue that we revisit some form of customary attire for celebratory instances? The Scots and Bretons succeeded in doing so; what’s stopping us from presenting a better representation than the foreign-imported mockery that we see annually? A substantial part of this Irish depiction draws from Victorian caricatures – the Paddy with a top hat, shillelagh and predisposition to drunkenness.
The more we enable these ludicrous stereotypes to be promoted, the more challenging it becomes to dispel them. – Yours sincerely,
JOE COY,
Tuam,
Co Galway.