Sir, – Karen McHugh in her opinion piece reflected eloquently the feelings of those involved in music and arts ("Why is music not given the same status as the GAA?", August 27th).
Let the Government reflect that the harp is the symbol of our country by facilitating the arts as it facilitates the GAA.
– Yours, etc,
FRANK BRENNAN,
Tullamore, Co Offaly.
Sir, – Forty thousand people were permitted to attend the recent All-Ireland hurling final. The venue holds 82,000. Let’s call that just less than a 50 per cent occupancy.
Fifty people were permitted to attend a recent production of Joyce’s The Dead at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. The venue holds 1,100. Let’s call that 4 per cent.
Should those who enjoy or work in the arts start referring to the arts as a sport?
That way, this Government might add up.
– Yours, etc,
JOSEPH O’CONNOR
Frank McCourt Chair
of Creative Writing,
University of Limerick.