Jonathan Swift Address by Dr Don Thornhill, St Patrick's Cathedral
Jonathan Swift Address by Dr Don Thornhill, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, 17 October, 2010 I would like to thank my friend and neighbour from Co Waterford, the Very Reverend Dr Robert McCarthy for giving me the honour and pleasure of speaking here this afternoon. But some caveats and acknowledgements are in order. As regards the caveats I hope that in inviting me here, as the Dean himself wrote, to speak, and I quote, “on any aspect of Swift”, the Dean was not, like his predecessor, being ironic. I am not a historian or a literary scholar. My interests are some distance away in economic policy, taxation and competitiveness, public sector reform and education policy. In the arenas where these topics are discussed I and other have preached from time to time – but never before from a pulpit! But I was helped by the patience, support and critical contributions (critical in both senses of the word!) of my family, particularly Maura, and of my friends during the past few months. I would like to thank Dr Ronan Kelly, author of Bard of Erin, a much acclaimed biography of Thomas Moore, who gave me essential advice and guidance. In our current economic circumstances it would, of course be tempting in response to the Dean’s invitation by quoting liberally from Swift’s commentaries on human foolishness and injustices. His saeva indignatio/ savage indignation, some of which he directed at bankers, undoubtedly has a contemporary resonance 1. A “What would Swift say if he were alive today ” exercise could be entertaining and maybe cause some bitter amusement but others are better equipped to do it.
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