Your recent article on the Irish coming to Britain to work in the UK construction industry is about 250 years too late (3 December, page 32).

We are no strangers to the UK construction industry. An article focusing on the positive contribution of the Irish to the UK construction industry since the Industrial Revolution would have been more appropriate and less alarmist journalism.

The UK construction industry is an integral part of Irish culture, and Irish construction workers and professionals in the UK are an integral part of UK culture, from the writings of the Irish navvy poets through to Irish music. How many nations can claim to have a folk song celebrating the achievements of Sir Robert McAlpine, McAlpine鈥檚 Fusiliers? Need I say any more?

Patrick Murdock

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