Nobel Prize Winning Poet Seamus Heaney has Passed Away

Irish poet and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature Seamus Heaney, has died aged 74.

Heaney was born in Northern Ireland and had an incredibly distinguished career in poetry. He was also a playwright, translator and teacher.

He was awarded numerous prizes and received many honours for his outstanding work. 

Heaney won his Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995.

The legendary poet’s work features on the Irish curriculum with Blackberry Picking and Mid-Term Break being a favourite among many students.

In a statement, his family said: "The death has taken place of Seamus Heaney. The poet and Nobel Laureate died in hospital in Dublin this morning after a short illness.

"The family has requested privacy at this time." 

Heaney is survived by his wife, Marie, and children, Christopher, Michael and Catherine Ann.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Pic via Ireland Fund of Great Britain and Wikimedia Commons