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Brendan Kennelly Trinity College Dublin
RIP
Celebrated poet Brendan Kennelly dies aged 85
During his lifetime, Kennelly wrote over 20 books of poetry, along with plays, novels and criticism.
8.20pm, 17 Oct 2021
43.1k
20
CELEBRATED POET AND novelist Brendan Kennelly has died aged 85.
Born in Ballylongford in Co Kerry on 17 April 1936, Kennelly wrote over 20 books of poetry, along with plays, novels and criticism.
Some of his most famous works include Cromwell (1983/87), Poetry me Arse (1995) and more recently Reservoir Voices (2009).
He was also a Professor of Modern Literature at Trinity College Dublin for 30 years until his retirement in 2005.
Paying tribute to Kennelly, President Michael D Higgins said:
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“As a poet, Brendan Kennelly had forged a special place in the affections of the Irish people. He brought so much resonance, insight, and the revelation of the joy of intimacy to the performance of his poems and to gatherings in so many parts of Ireland. He did so with a special charm, wit, energy and passion.
“Delivered from the flux of transacted life, ordinary words of the everyday had their beauty revealed for audiences and, in their recovery, the public shared life being celebrated.
“Brendan’s poetry is infused with the details and texture of life, its contradictions and moments of celebration including the wry experiences of football and politics.
With more than 30 collections, he leaves a major body of work, a legacy of teaching as Professor of Modern Literature at Trinity College Dublin, and the gratitude of so many younger poets whom he encouraged with honest and helpful critical advice.
President Higgins concluded: “There are many for whom an insightful and twinkling intelligence has left us, but it will endure in the lines of the poems as he wished.
Sabina and I offer our condolences to his sister Nancy, his brothers, Sean, John, Alan and Paddy, his granddaughters and the extended family as well as his wide circle of friends, all of whom treasured his presence among them, a friendship he valued.
Provost of Trinity College Dublin Linda Doyle described Kennelly as “an inspiring teacher, a talented poet and a warm and good humoured presence on campus”.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Brendan Kennelly today. He was an inspiring teacher, a talented poet and a warm and good humoured presence on campus. He will be missed by his much loved family, Trinity and the country. @tcddublinpic.twitter.com/3JQcqFQ8W5
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I used to work in Ann’s Hot bread shop on Nassau Street back in the day. He would often come in for coffee. Got to know him well enough. He was an amiable relaxed man. May he journey well.
This man really touched people. I remember him saying once in an interview that “half- heartedness is unforgivavle; whatever you are doing, put your whole heart into it. Even people who sin half-heartedly should never be forgiven.” Travel on well Brendan. You put your heart into it. You are already missed.
In just over a week we have lost 3 of the greatest artists Ireland has ever seen. Paddy Maloney, Tony MacMahon and Brendan Kennelly, all uniquely talented and giants of culture. May their legacy be celebrated forever. Rest in peace.
A wonderful and amazing writer and poet, he is off on a journey with his only child Doodle who tragically died earlier this year, I wish him God speed and thank you for your work, you will never know how much your writing means to me and countless others.
“Though we live in a world that dreams of ending
that always seems about to give in
something that will not acknowledge conclusion
insists that we forever begin.” BK.
Met him once and found him to be most genial and and unassuming for all his great litary genius. A national treasure, a poet of the people. May he rest in peace along with the other irish heroes Máire and Paddy taken from us in the last short few days.
“I’d like to give a lake of beer to God
I’d love the Heavenly
Host to be tippling there
For all eternity…..
…..
I’d sit with the men, the women and God
There by the lake of beer.
We’d be drinking good health forever
And every drop would be a prayer.”
Rest easy Brendan.
Used to see him as I made my way through TCD every morning. He always had a smile to share. Smiling at me one day as I passed, he said ” The mother’s milk, the mother’s milk”. Rest in Peace .
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