Funeral of poet takes place in Belfast

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.

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.”

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.”

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.