Condolence Book for
Michael George Longley
This Condolence Book is now read-only
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Sincere condolences to the Longley family.
A great poet.
Blessings from Belfast to Killadoon.
A great poet.
Blessings from Belfast to Killadoon.
Like many of my generation growing up in the south of Ireland, I knew Michael in his poems, and that was friendship enough. My condolences to family and friends. Go lasadh solas síoraí air.
Reading Michael Longley in Ballivor
I am reading those poems about Jessica Tyrrell’s horse
Rusty, just down the road from Rusty’s stable,
in Saint Kinneth’s Church of Ireland in Ballivor
which has been transformed into a public library,
and even the old harmonium’s been restored.
Out of regard for the beautiful instrument,
before the priest, who did the restoration,
played the opening of Mozart’s Requiem
to hear the sound of the reeds in situ again,
he undid his laces and took off his shoes.
In the aftermath of the worst storm in years,
all along the road from the town of Trim
I had to slow again and again to take in
trees that’d stood for decades lying on their sides.
The librarian, my friend, speaks of water, light,
of surviving, of keeping her mother warm.
I give the children, with the poems, your photograph
and mention the likeness to Father Christmas.
Their teacher says that they have great minds
and that they cannot get enough of history.
All of this morning has been very blessed.
I know it is not because a poet has died
who loved them that the trees are lying down,
but it happens, like music and out of the blue,
that these things have come together in my mind.
1 February, 2025
I am reading those poems about Jessica Tyrrell’s horse
Rusty, just down the road from Rusty’s stable,
in Saint Kinneth’s Church of Ireland in Ballivor
which has been transformed into a public library,
and even the old harmonium’s been restored.
Out of regard for the beautiful instrument,
before the priest, who did the restoration,
played the opening of Mozart’s Requiem
to hear the sound of the reeds in situ again,
he undid his laces and took off his shoes.
In the aftermath of the worst storm in years,
all along the road from the town of Trim
I had to slow again and again to take in
trees that’d stood for decades lying on their sides.
The librarian, my friend, speaks of water, light,
of surviving, of keeping her mother warm.
I give the children, with the poems, your photograph
and mention the likeness to Father Christmas.
Their teacher says that they have great minds
and that they cannot get enough of history.
All of this morning has been very blessed.
I know it is not because a poet has died
who loved them that the trees are lying down,
but it happens, like music and out of the blue,
that these things have come together in my mind.
1 February, 2025
Deepest sympathy to Edna and all the Longley family. I only know Michael through his poetry and the heartwarming documentary on his life. What a delightfully warm man! As a drama teacher, I have had the pleasure of nurturing the love of Michael's wonderful poems with my students over many years. I am so sad to hear of his passing. His bright light and spirit will shine on forever through his great volume of poetry. Sleep soundly, dear Michael. Ireland has lost a great son.
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