Dear Madam Editor
In your letters page of your last edition mention was made of the recent festival of flowers in Star of the Sea Church in Sandymount. May I add my voice of congratulations to those involved in this wonderful festival– the array of flowers was outstanding. The colour and scent was an uplifting experience. It is rare that I walk into a church and feel welcome and at peace but on this occasion I did. It reminds me of that old adage: One is nearer Gods heart in a garden then anywhere else on earth!
Justin Leavey
St John Road
Sandymount

Dear Madam Editor
I am writing in the hope that my words might revive some interest in a name from the past. Fr Willie Doyle, S.J.M.C. who was killed 91 years ago on 16th August at Frezenberg Ridge.

His body was never recovered, but his name is joined with 50,000 on the memorial wall at Tynebot Cemetery near Ypres. One time Willie Doyle’s name was well known in Dublin for all the favours granted through his intercession, to-day his name is unknown. It is a sign of the times that many who took lives are revered today while a man who tried to save lives is forgotten. May devotion to Willie Doyle regain its one time popularity.
Sincerely
Martin Moore

Dear Madam Editor
I wish to write you in that hope that you publish the following:
On Friday 20th June, 08 in Ringsend National Girls school there was a very special presentation day to mark the opening of the garden that the children made with the help of many friends. It was in honour of my Aunt Sarah Reilly of Irishtown Square, who had for many years worked and had a very good friendship with the School.

It was a beautiful ceremony and was opened by Mr John Gormley, local TD and the parish priest Fr. Cody (above). It was indeed a beautiful tribute to Sarah, she would have been very proud to receive such a tribute.
I would like to thank the school and all its teachers and pupils for the outstanding performance that was displayed. It is indeed a very excellent school.

All the children that took part in the dance and song performance were indeed excellent and they were in great harmony and rhythm that is probably due to their excellent drama and singing teacher.

On behalf of the Reilly family, I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to all Sarah’s family, relatives and her many, many friends. ‘May we all meet again, in GOD’s Garden’.

Below is the poem that I read out on behalf of Sarah and my family. It was written by her niece Ms Paula Finnie:

Our Sarah
Your flowers bade me welcome and beckoned me back,
Oh Joy! on beholding the fruit of your toil
What blessed love and caring your hands poured into the soil
If the flowers could speak, they would say thank you for me.
As you sparkle and play with abondon and glee !
No heart scalding tears, no sadness on face.
Sarah’s memory still twinkles and lives on in this place.
As she stands with God’s angel bathe in the sun.
Thankful and grateful for the work you have done.

This poem is for all the children and grown-ups who have honoured our Sarah, to say Thank you for the effort you have put into creating this beautiful garden.
Thanking you once more
Cora Joyce (Also her loving niece)

Dear Madam Editor
I really think the standard of your paper is superb and I wish you, your staff and all your contributors continued success with the paper.
Yours faithfully
Joe Taylor