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Irish president among mourners at funeral of poet Michael Longley

Bernie Allen
BBC News NI
PA Hands holding up the order of service of Michael Longley. It's a painting of him sitting by the table reading a newspaper in the countryside. It says 'Michael Gorge Longley 27 July 1939-22 January 2025 A Celebration Saturday 1st February 12 Noon All Souls Church Elmwood Avenue, Belfast'PA
The service was held at All Souls Church in Belfast on Saturday

The funeral of acclaimed Belfast poet Michael Longley has taken place in Belfast.

Mr Longley died in hospital at the age of 85 on 22 January.

The poet is survived by his wife Edna and children Rebecca, Daniel and Sarah.

Hundreds attended his funeral service at All Souls Church in Belfast on Saturday.

Mourners included Irish President Michael D Higgins, South Belfast MP Clare Hanna, former North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon and Seamus Heaney's widow Marie Devlin.

A private committal followed at Roselawn Crematorium.

Pacemaker Left to right: A minister/priest wearing the collar and black suit clutching an order of service. He has glasses and short hair. Michael D Higgins wearing grey tails, a white shirt and grey tie. He has white hair and has a walking stick in his right hand. Two unknown men in black suits, one with a blue tie and one purple. The left one has grey hair and the right one has ginger hair.Pacemaker
Irish president Michael D Higgins previously described Longley as one of the greatest Irish poets

'Straight to the heart and soul'

Reverend Chris Hudson told those gathered at All Souls Church, near Queen's University, that Longley's memory and poetry will forever remain a blessing.

He said they were there to share loss and be in solidarity and celebration of a life wonderfully lived

"Poets such as Longley go straight to the heart and soul," he said.

"He had a great love of music to the point his poetry was inspired by music."

Pacemaker Michael Longley taking his glasses off in front of a brown book shelf, packed with books. He has white hair, a beard and moon shaped silver glasses. He is wearing a silver watch and a orange and black scarf. He has a grey tweed blazer jacket on. He is looking directly at the camera. Pacemaker
Michael Longley received a number of prestigious awards for his work throughout an illustrious career, including the T.S. Eliot Prize, the Feltrinelli International Prize and the Whitbread Poetry Prize

As well as poems and readings, the service also included musical interludes of Longley's favourite songs to highlight his love of music.

These included Fats Waller's Lulu's Back in Town and Billie Holiday's I'll Be Seeing You.

The eulogy was conducted by Queen's University professor, Dr Fran Brearton, who told the congregation it was impossible to remark on poetry without him.

"He understood the need to trust silence," she said.

"He knew that poetry has to be able to face the worst, as well as the best, of what we are capable of.

"His poetry was often celebrating, always cautionary and, in its deepest sense, political."

PA Media Marie has white hair, shoulder length. She has brown sunglasses and hoop earrings. She is wearing a black coat and colourful scarf, yellow and black tones. PA Media
Marie Devlin, the widow of Seamus Heaney, also attended the funeral

Family members gave reflections and readings, including the poet's son Michael.

He said his father would have loved the fuss made of him in his passing and that the outpouring of love for him had been overwhelming.

Longley received a number of prestigious awards for his work throughout an illustrious career, including the T.S. Eliot Prize, the Feltrinelli International Prize and the Whitbread Poetry Prize.

He published his first collection of poetry, No Continuing City, when he was 30 years old.

In 1994, he wrote arguably his most famous poem, Ceasefire.

He was appointed CBE in 2010 and awarded the freedom of his native city in 2015 for his contribution to literature and cultural life.

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