Let’s all answer Ireland’s Call at ‘Twickers’ this St Patrick’s Day
■ In the spirit of ‘Ireland’s Call’, might I suggest that in light of the imminently momentous rugby fixture between Ireland and England this St Patrick’s Day, that all St Patrick’s Day parades, events and fixtures scheduled to occur on the day on this island which clash with the landmark Grand Slam showdown at Twickenham at 2.45pm be rescheduled to either finish before kick-off or commence after the game is over.
Such a gesture would allow all the people of the four provinces of Ireland to stand shoulder to shoulder and enjoy this significant and historic sporting event.
In fairness, all those involved in organising parades and events knew of this match’s timing well in advance and it was always likely to be a very important and epoch defining sporting event.
It seems curious we rightly shut the country down for Storms Emma and Ophelia, so we should at least make the effort to make 2pm-5pm on our patron saint’s day this year a special time to celebrate and savour our international sporting prowess and achievements.
If Ireland prevail at Twickenham, they will secure their 11th Triple Crown – and crucially it will be only the third time in the history of rugby that an Irish team has won the Grand Slam.
Paul Horan Trinity College Dublin