President and fellow writers celebrate the legacy of one of Ireland’s finest poets
. I regarded him as a peerless poet with at least three poetic lives. It is, however, the generosity of his heart, and the lovely cadence of a voice of love and friendship that I will most remember.
I think it is appropriate to quote the final two lines of that poem, which recall a classic reference in response to loss, which express the terrible and beautiful essence of what it is to forgive:Michael Longley worked for artists’ welfare and his company was treasured by us all. In the course of a distinguished career with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Michael worked to support, encourage and nurture creativity in the most generous and inclusive way possible.
His work, which I love, was both Classical and intimate; it paid attention to small living things and large historical canvases; it was tender, sometimes quite strange, and touched with mystery. Michael was also a fighter. As an advocate for the art form and a practitioner he seemed tireless, travelling to read from his latest selected poems,, just a few months ago. As a friend, he was supportive, funny and often scurrilous.
He’d called himself, in a previous interview, a “failed hermit” but was happy to be at large for his readers that evening. To lean on A Personal Statement, his writing seemed, always, to want to believe the evidence of its eyes, and grew out of a lifetime of close, concentrated – devoted, even – attention paying.
He deplored what he called “Troubles trash”, admired the “almost poetic precision and suggestiveness” of the Good Friday Agreement. Once during an interview, he told me about reading his poem The Ice Cream Man on the radio. The ice-cream man, to whose shop the poet used to bring his child, had been murdered, a victim of the Northern conflict.
He did not read Ceasefire that night. He told me he had misgivings about that poem, which was published in The Irish Times days after the IRA announced its ceasefire in 1994 and has become one of his best-known works. It might have been “a bit middle class, a bit presumptuous,” he said: “Who am I to say people should forgive?” He said he’d met a man a few days after the poem appeared who told him he had admired it, but he was not ready for it.
It pleases me that the portrait of Michael by his good friend the painter Jeffrey Morgan, which hangs in the Waterfront Gallery in Belfast, has Michael sitting in my very basic cottage in a green armchair I had rescued from a skip in Barcelona. It was the early nineties.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Prominent Belfast Poet Michael Longley Dies Aged 85Beloved Irish poet Michael Longley, renowned for his award-winning works and contributions to literature, has passed away at the age of 85. Longley's impactful poems, including the celebrated 'Ceasefire,' explored themes of loss, resilience, and the beauty of nature. His contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the TS Eliot Prize, the Feltrinelli International Prize, and the Whitbread Poetry Prize. Irish President Michael D Higgins led tributes, recognizing Longley as one of Ireland's greatest poets and expressing deep sorrow over his passing.
Read more »
Beloved Belfast Poet Michael Longley Dies at 85Renowned Belfast poet Michael Longley has passed away at the age of 85. He was a celebrated figure in the literary world, winning numerous awards including the TS Eliot Prize, the Feltrinelli International Prize, and the Whitbread Poetry Prize. His most famous work, 'Ceasefire,' was inspired by the peace process in Northern Ireland. Irish President Michael D Higgins eulogized Longley, calling him 'one of the greatest poets that Ireland has ever produced' and praising his generosity and beautiful writing.
Read more »
Renowned Irish Poet Michael Longley Dies at 85Michael Longley, a celebrated Irish poet known for his 13 acclaimed collections, passed away at the age of 85. Longley received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Feltrinelli Prize, Whitbread Prize, TS Eliot Prize, Hawthornden Prize, Irish Times Poetry Prize, and Griffin International Prize. His collection 'Ash Keys: New Selected Poems' was published last year to mark his 85th birthday.
Read more »
Michael D Higgins: The Irish President Who Rocked the SystemThis article reflects on the presidency of Michael D Higgins, highlighting his unwavering independent spirit and impact on Ireland's political and social landscape. It acknowledges his significant contributions during a period of transformation for the nation, from an economically struggling country to one facing new challenges like infrastructural inadequacies.
Read more »
Power to the People: The Hot Press Years by Michael D HigginsThis collection of President Michael D Higgins' magazine columns from the 1980s and 1990s offers a diverse perspective on Irish politics from the left. Covering current affairs alongside traditional music coverage, the articles reveal Higgins' views as a senator and later as minister for arts, culture and the Gaeltacht. This anthology, curated by Hot Press editor Niall Stokes, provides insight into Higgins' political journey before his rise to national prominence.
Read more »
When it comes to clutter are you more like Michael D Higgins or minimalist Marie Kondo?Unthinkable: Preserving only that which is joyful is philosophically problematic
Read more »