Seamus Heaney Tribute
The Queen's University of Belfast Foundation has paid tribute to Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney.
Speaking on behalf of The Queen’s University of Belfast Foundation, Chairman Thomas Lynch said:
“On behalf of the Queen’s Foundation I tender our deepest sympathy to Marie and her family.
At this sad time I cannot help but reflect on the words used by Seamus himself when paying tribute to the late Sir Allen McClay at the opening of Queen’s McClay Library -
‘But the good cheer and downplayed style of this noble countryman of ours should not ever be allowed to diminish our recognition of the debt we owe him.’
In Seamus we saw humility sit comfortably beside genius. We will never forget his spirit, warmth and humour, or his unwavering commitment to the Queen's Foundation, no matter where he was in the World. We will never allow ourselves to diminish our recognition of the debt we owe him.”
In 2001 Seamus Heaney launched the Campaign for Queen’s and drafted the poem FOR ALMA MATER for the occasion.
His legacy lives on in those projects established as a result of the £120M raised by the campaign, including the restoration of the Great Hall at Queen's, The Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry, the Seamus Heaney Chair in Poetry and Queen's £50M McClay Library which Seamus Heaney opened in July 2010.
The poem FOR ALMA MATER can be found below:
For alma mater
His fresher’s face, his fresh-stamped student card,
The glue not set, the course not set: I stare.
Pro tanto quid? Yet what can he afford?
Under the Great Hall’s portraits, it’s still hard
At this stage not to wonder how he’ll fare,
This fresher with his fresh-stamped student card.
Then Great Hall turned exam hall where he entered.
First Arts. First Honours. Finals. For each year
Pro tanto quid? For now he can afford.
“Re-enter,” said the interviewing board,
“Take up your notes and be a lecturer
And cancelled henceforth be your student card.”
He re-enters. He exits. His reward
A Sabine farm and freehold in Glanmore.
Pro tanto quid? O all he can afford.
Now course is set and face set by the word.
What then? What’s this? Honoris causa? Doctor?
Whose was that fresh face on your student card?
Pro tanto quid? O all you can afford.
