UK gave us cure to the Famine

■ In reply to James Connolly Heron, (‘Burke and Connolly’s beliefs’, Letters, June 11), the UK was a creative scientific community that gave the world the first industrial revolution, and the cures for TB and polio. It also innovated the radio, TV and the computer. The Famine was caused by blight and the cure was the Bordeaux mixture of bluestone and washing soda. Copper sulphate (bluestone) was invented in France and manufactured in the UK.

As regards 1916, Oscar Wilde said “when liberty comes with hands dabbled in blood, it is hard to shake hands with her”.

William Mathers

Limerick city