Cut if you must, but save our Terry!

Published: 14 April, 2011

• ALONG with many others, I am horrified to hear that trustees of the London Irish Centre would even consider letting Terry McEneaney go (Backlash over ousted green man, John Gulliver, March 24; Losing Terry puts value of the Irish Centre at risk, Letters, April 7) .

Terry is not just a talented, wonderful manager: he has that special touch when it comes to dealing with people from within our multicultural and diverse community, as well as a vast and intimate knowledge of the London Irish community.  

I have seen him host Somali wedding parties, 1950s be-bop dance evenings, Irish ceilidh nights etc, all with the same professional aplomb and warm generosity of spirit. 

It was Terry who encouraged me to run poetry readings at the London Irish Centre, and these ran successfully for a couple of years, draw­ing in poetry enthusiasts from across London.  

Occasionally even Irish-based or American-based poets, when visiting London, came and read for us in spite of our non-existent budget! 

All made possible because of Terry’s good will and can-do attitude. 

For any organisation that cares about promoting Irish culture, or indeed culture in general, voluntarily to lose such a multi-talented individual is not a clever move. Make cuts if you must, but save our Terry!

ROISIN TIERNEY, York Way, N7