It is stamped on every coin, adorns the brewing company synonymous with our national identity and, more seriously, is a musical instrument of legend and myth.

So maybe Trinity student Brian Manners' idea of erecting a giant harp with laser light strings the size of the Eiffel Tower to replace the winking lights and stripes of the Poolbeg chimneys on Dublin Bay isn't such a daft idea. Though, of course, we'd have to wait until we got some money again before we could build it.

But if a great wall can symbolise China, a pyramid can encapsulate Egypt and a bit of heavy scaffolding can portray Paris, then why not a huge harp for Ireland?

John Gormley would like it better than an incinerator too.