Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
EVERY YEAR, THE government releases the secret and personal files from the Taoiseach’s department from 30 years earlier.
Amongst the more politically interesting documents, you can usually find a few gems — personal letters, whacky presents and pleas for help.
This letter, from an American lady with Irish heritage, to Jack Lynch in 1978 was a particular favourite here at TheJournal.ie.
Ruth Murney has just returned to her home in Washington DC after her first visit to Ireland. She is exceptionally taken with the island — its “beauty, character and charm”. She’s even decided to take Irish language lessons.
It was to her horror a few weeks later when she found out Ireland was trying to woo industry to its lands.
“I can appreciate all the commendable reasons you may give for bringing industry to the island which would include the necessity for raising the economic standards, the need for checking emigration and keeping families together,” she wrote, but then warned that pollution comes with industry.
“I feel Ireland has fought enough battles without adding pollution to the list,” she argued before adding, “in a lighter vein”.
“Like you, I will deny the existence of leprechauns, but in our hearts we both know they are still there and we don’t want them asphyxiated, now do we, Mr Prime Minister?
She felt compelled to write the letter on reading an article in the Washington Post, entitled Smoggy Mists for Ireland, which looked at the “economic invasion that is radically altering Eamon de Valera’s vision of Ireland as a semi-pastoral society”.
He also discusses the fumes now suppressing the air in Waterford from a nearby plant with its dull thud of noise.
Careful what you wish for, eh? Those leprechauns don’t usually leave those pots of gold.
National Archives Ref 2014/105
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Save the Leprechaun we put him in the Aras
Save the leprechaun?
We put him in the Áras!
(Punctuated).
Grammarnazialert
No m8. Idiot alert – you….
@Philip Cooper = As Whole
Fu cough Robin.
Literacy nazi.
I’m with you on that Philip. Grammar nazi or not. I’d rather be a grammar nazi than an idiot.
langball
What’s a Prime Minister?
A minister divisible by itself and the number 1 only.
Our president is living proof they are alive
Surely sinead a women with your talents could find something more interesting to write about.
I see what you did there…
Surely a man of your talents could just scroll down through the 100-odd articles published on The Journal and it’s sister-sites each day and find some that interests you?
The head of the little people,has decided to take our water,so he can turn it into gold for his mates ,Enda the troll and Joan the witch, Hopefully they will all get sent back to planet reality in the near future and we can regain control of our island from these unrealistic fools.
There is no planet reality for them now. With pots of gold pensions and gravy train retirement appointments to all sorts of boards awaiting them. Who needs mythical wee people to fill those pots of gold??
Jesus, one holiday to Ireland and she’s trying to decide how the country runs and what sort of economy it’s going for. Some people.
Unfortunately the little bo//ox is in aras an uachtaran
She wrote to Taoiseach Jack Lynch. She, as an American may have mistakenly referred to him as a prime minister, but writers at TheJournal.ie have no excuse. The headline gave me the impression she wrote to the British Margaret Thatcher. Can you correct the headline, Journal?
have your say