The death has been announced of Michael Coady, the poet and short story writer. He was 84.
Born in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, Coady was elected to Aosdána in 1998; his literary achievements include prestigious awards such as the Listowel Writers' Week and RTÉ short story prizes, as well as the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award in 1979 and O'Shaughnessy Poetry Award in 2004.
Exploring ideas of community, mortality and memory, his writings frequently celebrated the local and parochial, and were widely anthologized.
His death was announced by his publishers The Gallery Press on Monday. He was surrounded by his family when he died, the publisher said in a statement.
The poet Michael Coady has died aged 84 following an illness surrounded by his devoted family. We, at The Gallery Press will miss him sorely. We send our deepest sympathy to Martina, James, Niamh and Lucy. pic.twitter.com/yFgB5rJWuz
— The Gallery Press (@TheGalleryPress) March 25, 2024
A Heimbold Professor of Irish Studies at Villanova University in the United States in 2005, Michael Coady published six collections with The Gallery Press: Two for a Woman, Three for a Man (1980), Oven Lane (1987), Given Light (2017), plus a trilogy of interlinked works integrating poetry, prose and his own photographs, All Souls (1997), One Another (2003) and Going By Water (2009).
Remembering Michael Coady (1939-2024) pic.twitter.com/7EAm9uGFyW
— The Gallery Press (@TheGalleryPress) March 26, 2024
In 1996 he self-published The Well of Spring Water, a personal memoir of longstanding friends, the Clare musicians Pakie and Micho Russell.
Philomena Poole, Deputy Chair of the Arts Council, said: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Coady. His contributions to the arts have left an indelible mark on our cultural landscape, enriching our lives with their creativity and insight. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come."
Michael Coady is survived by his wife Martina, son James and daughters Niamh and Lucy.
