Seamus Heaney RIP

Honey-ec · 30-08-2013 11:51AM

Dartz wrote: »

Of being 74 most likely. It's a fair old age to make it to....

Ah here, 74 isn't exactly one foot in the grave and the other on a banana skin territory.

A great loss to literature. The man was an exquisite wordsmith.

touts · 30-08-2013 11:52AM

I was never into Poetry but there was always a sense of greatness when Heaney appeared on TV. I would have loved to attend one of his readings and sadly that will never happen now.

RIP. Part of the soul of Ireland has departed.

johnayo · 30-08-2013 11:54AM

Autonomous Cowherd wrote: »

I was lucky to attend readings of his several times, and sit afterwards in the pub in his company. His wife always struck me as so beautiful and him as serene and noble. A particular memory I have of him is from the Flat lake Arts festival where he turned up, sort of out of the blue, to do a reading. It was in a marquee. The tent was sparsely populated with a few loiterers ~ there were not that many in attendance at the festival to be honest, as it was in the first year. Then Séamus began to read. His beautiful sonorous voice. And people began to appear. First wandering straggles. Then droves of people. Emerging it seemed to me from the hedgerows and the dusk, thronging into the tent, like people summoned by the Shaman. There was not a whisper, as we pressed together. Total silence. And when at last he read the finishing line of Mid Term Break a wave of emotion coursed through the assembly that was utterly spiritual.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Thats a lovely tribute. Well done.

FouxDaFaFa · 30-08-2013 11:54AM

A very big loss. At least he got the recognition he deserved when he was alive.

TwoShedsJackson · 30-08-2013 11:55AM

Honey-ec wrote: »

Ah here, 74 isn't exactly one foot in the grave and the other on a banana skin territory.

A great loss to literature. The man was an exquisite wordsmith.

Average life expectancy for a man in Ireland is 78, so it's not exactly far off either.

JP85 · 30-08-2013 11:56AM

I dont think there will ever been another poet that will reach the heights and aclaim of this man. RIP

ibarelycare · 30-08-2013 12:06PM

from_atozinc wrote: »

Why did you post this when the OP had already stated that he died in the first post

There were two separate threads, they were merged.

WilyCoyote · 30-08-2013 12:19PM

Sad news. But there is no escaping the exit.

wendell borton · 30-08-2013 12:20PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQqv4BEcUvs

Femme_Fatale · 30-08-2013 12:21PM

I love his poems. Bye Child is extraordinarily haunting.

74 is not that old at all these days; he died due to ill health, not old age - sad news.

dukedalton · 30-08-2013 01:00PM

Anyone watching Sky News just there? They had a friend of Seamus's on the phone. The interview only began at 1255 and at 1257, as he was in full flow, the presenter cut right across him, telling them they were out of time, and left for an ad break. Absolutely disgraceful.

Meangadh · 30-08-2013 01:01PM

Ah God that's very sad news- two of my favourite writers I studied in school gone within 24 hours of each other, Seamus Heaney and Maidhc Dainín Ó Sé (writer of "A Thig ná Tit Orm"). And both only in their 70s, not at all an old age these days.

RIP to both.

WindSock · 30-08-2013 01:01PM

A 74 foot box is going to be difficult to muster up though.

BMJD · 30-08-2013 01:03PM

Rest In Peace, what a wonderful poet. I enjoyed his work in school, there's not many poets/authors I would say that about.

The_Valeyard · 30-08-2013 01:10PM

What a brilliant Poet. May he rest in Peace. I am sure his work will live on for many generations to come. A true gent of a man.

Lapin · 30-08-2013 01:13PM

A sad day.

RIP to a great Ambassador for the island of Ireland.

donegal_road · 30-08-2013 01:14PM

'Digging'

such a great poem. rip

redtapestyl · 30-08-2013 01:15PM

Am I the only one who has never heard of him until today

lazygal · 30-08-2013 01:18PM

redtapestyl wrote: »

Am I the only one who has never heard of him until today

Yes, you philistine.

catallus · 30-08-2013 01:18PM

Such sad news, a giant and an irreplaceable genius. His books are a joy to read, The Redress of Poetry just shows how deeply intelligent he was. To read his poetry and lectures is a privilege. At the end of the universe poetry will be the only thing ever done that was worth a damn, and Heaney devoted a large part of his life to writing and teaching that truth.

Son Of A Vidic · 30-08-2013 01:20PM

He was a wonderful ambassador for Ireland and a true Irish gent. He continued this little islands wonderful tradition for producing literary greats and now he joins them. May he rest in peace.

I am pie · 30-08-2013 01:29PM

redtapestyl wrote: »

Am I the only one who has never heard of him until today

Well, opportunity knocks. do yourself a favour and read a few of his poems today.

Muise... · 30-08-2013 01:30PM

It being "Late August, given heavy rain and sun"

I'll go looking for blackberries today.

"I always felt like crying. It wasn't fair
That all the lovely canfuls smelt of rot.
Each year I hoped they'd keep, knew they would not."

RIP good man.