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Seamus Heaney: Paul Simon takes part in Dublin tribute | Seamus Heaney: Paul Simon takes part in Dublin tribute |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The US singer songwriter Paul Simon has paid tribute to his friend Seamus Heaney, as he unveiled a new artwork in Dublin in memory of the late poet. | |
The musician spoke of his love and admiration for Heaney as he unveiled a tapestry in Dublin airport. | |
It was paid for by a group of Heaney's fans, including Mr Simon and U2's Bono. | It was paid for by a group of Heaney's fans, including Mr Simon and U2's Bono. |
The US singer is also taking to the stage in Dublin's National Concert Hall at an event honouring the County Londonderry poet, who died last year. | |
Mr Simon told the Irish state broadcaster, RTÉ: "I'm a great admirer of Seamus' poetry and I loved him dearly as a friend." | |
The musician said he was "very proud and pleased to be able to participate" in the Dublin tributes to the Nobel Laureate. | |
Other guest speakers at the memorial concert include Irish President Michael D Higgins, poet Michael Longley and singer songwriters Paul Brady and Lisa Hannigan. | |
'Wisdom' | 'Wisdom' |
The airport 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. | 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." | 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' | '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 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". | 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 in Northern Ireland. | |
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. |