THE Nobel laureate, Seamus Heaney, was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters by Limerick University yesterday. The poet said, it was a very happy moment for him and a very confirming one.
"For here we are, after all, on home ground, and the fact of the matter is that in literary and artistic affairs, the vote on the home, ground is the crucial one, so it is as a wonderful bonus to have this honour bestowed at this time."
Dr Heaney is the second Nobel laureate to be honoured by the University of Limerick, the first being, Prof James D. Watson, the 1962 Nobel laureate for Medicine, who was honoured by the university last, year.
The poet pointed out that whereas the University of Limerick had been previously associated primarily with the sciences, it had become increasingly involved with the arts and was bringing music and creative writing to its centre.
Those attending the award ceremony entered the Jean Monnet lecture theatre to music specially composed for the occasion by Micheal O Suilleabhain, professor of music at the university. Played by a string quartet, it took its title, Face the Music, from a line in Seamus Heaney's Squarings:
"Shield your eyes, Look up and face the music".
Wearing ceremonial robes, the academic staff looked as if they were taking part in a medieval pageant. Dr Heaney wore the long red robe of a Doctor of Literature and a flat black hat. Later, when he was given the gown, he asked: "Do I get to keep it?"
In a citation written by Dr Brian Coates, of the English Department and delivered by Micheiil O Suilleabhain, Seamus Heaney was acknowledged as one "of the most accomplished poets of our century".
