Queen's only Nobel alumnus returns to lay foundation stone of Heaney Library

WITH benign good spirit and grace Seamus Heaney engaged in "scandalous self promotion" at his alma mater yesterday.

First, he laid the foundation stone for a new £2.2 million library at Queen's University, Belfast, which henceforth is named after him.

Then he officially opened a public exhibition of his life and works called "Singing Schools" in the university's visitor centre. To open an exhibition dedicated to himself seemed to be a breach of every common protocol, he felt. But what the heck.

And to cap it all he was guest of honour for a formal dinner in the college last night to celebrate and honour the university's only Nobel alumnus.

Queen's yesterday was no place for a self effacing, poet and former staff academic. So he took his wife Marie's counsel on the matter. "Narcissism is its own reward," she advised, which translated as "enjoy yourself."

And he did, neither flaunting his success, nor engaging in false modesty. "That's the thing with Seamus," said his friend David Hammond, "he has a great facility to take everything in his stride and be happy."

It was 25 years since Seamus Heaney graduated from Queen's with a first in English language and literature, bound for great literary achievement and glory.

Prof Mary McAleese, pro vice chancellor, made the point in a fine speech that opening the educational system to everyone, not just the privileged few, as happened in the 1950s, allowed poets like Heaney to flourish.

She said some of that elite in the 1950s might have despised the concept of students like Heaney, from a Co Derry farm background, being accepted into the higher educational system.

But it was from that world, Prof McAleese said, that Heaney, drew "universal insights of global significance in terms of warmth, compassion, generosity, humour and of heartfelt love for the whole people from which he sprang, Protestant, Catholic, unionist, nationalist."

He brought distinction to his college, his people, and his country, she said.

The poet, while joking that he was engaging in "scandalous self promotion", said he was genuinely "moved and unnerved" by the honour and tributes accorded him.

"I just want to put on record how much this means to me, as an alumnus of this university, as a native of this part of the world, and as one of a whole movement of Northern Irish writers, each of whom deserves to be every bit as opulently and individually celebrated as I am lucky to be celebrated here today," Dr Heaney added.

Sir Gordon Beveridge, Queen's vice chancellor, said the college was delighted and proud to be able to honour "one of our most eminent alumni and former members of staff".