Condolence Page for Seamus Heaney: Sign and Add Your Comments

I came to know of Mr. Heaney and his great works only recently.  A fantastic talent who seemed to be a warm and kind gentleman.  My condolences to his family and friends.  ~ Ryan O'Rourke

Mr Heany will never be dead he lives on through his work and will contine to do so for generations to come

Last words, written a few minutes before he passed away, were in his beloved Latin. And they read: "Noli timere." (Don't be afraid.)

Seamus  was born outside my home town of Castledawson, and apparently, the family moved to Bellaghy when he was quite young.  He was not born near Toomebridge or Bellaghy as stated on the news. However, I believe he was held in high esteem by all who knew him - unfortunately I never met the great man. I extend my  sincere sympathy to his family and friends.

For Seamus and those remaining:

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there…I do not sleep. I am the thousand winds that blow… I am the diamond glints on snow… I am the sunlight on ripened grain… I am the gentle autumn rain. When you waken in the morning’s hush, I am the swift uplifting rush Of gentle birds in circling flight… I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry— I am not there… I did not die…

                                                                                                                      - Unknown

Wasn't conversational with your work, Seamus, but having read about your approach to life and verse, I sorely regret missing no longer having an opportunity to meet you.

Do not stand around & speak in hushed & hallowed tones

For there is nothing in this casket, except for husk & bones

An excerpt from a Eulogy poem which I wrote back in 2005.

Seamus Heaney was as dear to me as a child as Rudyard Kipling might have been to another. My Gran would choose a poem, Seamus, Yeats, Burns, Hopkins, to read to me over the phone or, when she came to visit, every night after bedtime prayers. There were others but she always seemed to come back to those. In my teenage years, Poetry became my solace and words my escape. 

You will be missed but your words and vibrant energy will live on in each and every poem of your's that someone shares

Mr. Heaney was a legend in my family and his growing up in rural Ireland had a lot to do with it. My family came from County Clare to New York many years ago, but we retained the rural Irish humility that Mr. Heaney perfected in poetry. 

Eamon Loingsigh

What a loss.  Grief. No more words, sounds and insights will come from his pen.