I must take great exception to the letter from Chris Hughes (8 April). The notion that only Catholics can be considered Irish is something that has plagued the island of Ireland for generations and continues to this day in the north of the island. The very first president of the Irish Republic, Douglas Hyde, was a Protestant as were a number of leading nationalists, Wolfe Tone, Charles Parnell and Robert Childers to name but three. Are these not to be considered Irish? My own ancestry can be traced directly back to the early 18th century in Limerick. My great, great grandfather was a clerk in Dingle, Co Kerry and my grandfather a draper’s assistant in Dublin. Church of Ireland (Protestant) one and all. I am now a very happy atheist born in Dublin, living in England, and proudly Irish.
Ed Ievers
New Malden, Surrey
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