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Seamus Heaney: Paul Simon takes part in Dublin tribute | Seamus Heaney: Paul Simon takes part in Dublin tribute |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The US singer songwriter Paul Simon has unveiled a new tribute to the late Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney in Dublin, the poet's adopted city. | |
He spoke of his admiration for Heaney as he unveiled a tapestry inspired by the poet's writing in Dublin airport. | |
It was paid for by a group of Heaney's fans, including Mr Simon and U2's Bono. | |
Later, the US singer will take to the stage in Dublin's National Concert Hall at an event honouring the County Londonderry poet, who died last year. | |
Other guest speakers at the memorial include Irish President Michael D Higgins, poet Michael Longley and County Tyrone singer songwriter Paul Brady. | |
'Wisdom' | |
The tapestry was designed by Czech artist Peter Sís and features an excerpt from Heaney's poem Lightenings VIII. | |
Mr Simon said: "How wonderful that the memory of Seamus Heaney will be celebrated with a work of art. | Mr Simon said: "How wonderful that the memory of Seamus Heaney will be celebrated with a work of art. |
"Travellers would do well to carry Seamus Heaney's words with them as they journey around the globe. He was truly a poet for all the world." | "Travellers would do well to carry Seamus Heaney's words with them as they journey around the globe. He was truly a poet for all the world." |
The artwork will be seen by an estimated 10m passengers each year, as they pass through Terminal Two. | |
As he unveiled the piece, Mr Simon added: "Seamus' poetry, although it springs from the Irish well, has a beauty and a wisdom that nourishes anyone who reads it." | |
The tapestry was commissioned by Bill Shipsey, the founder of Art for Amnesty, an art engagement arm of Amnesty International. | The tapestry was commissioned by Bill Shipsey, the founder of Art for Amnesty, an art engagement arm of Amnesty International. |
Speaking before the unveiling, Mr Shipsey said: "Seamus was the unofficial poet laureate of the entire Amnesty International global movement. | Speaking before the unveiling, Mr Shipsey said: "Seamus was the unofficial poet laureate of the entire Amnesty International global movement. |
"He was a great friend and supporter and shows us by his life, and with his writing, what art in the light of conscience was all about." | "He was a great friend and supporter and shows us by his life, and with his writing, what art in the light of conscience was all about." |
'Memento' | |
The sold-out event in the National Concert Hall has been jointly organised by Dublin City Council and Poetry Ireland, as part of the Dublin: One City, One Book festival. | |
The piper Liam O'Flynn, who worked with the Nobel Laureate over the years, is also among the guests, and members of the Heaney family are expected to attend. | The piper Liam O'Flynn, who worked with the Nobel Laureate over the years, is also among the guests, and members of the Heaney family are expected to attend. |
The organisers said they hoped the event would be a "memento of Seamus' wonderful life and what he meant to people". | |
Mr Heaney died in hospital in Dublin last August after a short illness. He was 74. | Mr Heaney died in hospital in Dublin last August after a short illness. He was 74. |
His funeral was held in Donnybrook, south Dublin, but he was buried near his childhood home in Bellaghy. | |
He published his first book of poetry in 1966 and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995. | He published his first book of poetry in 1966 and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995. |