Seamus heaney

Snow-Covered Trees, 1982 © RTÉ Archives 0730/035

Harvard in the Snow

Heaney shares his first impressions of Harvard University.

America • 22 Apr 15

Seamus Heaney in 1983. © RTÉ Archives 2000/016

"The Most Important Year of My Life, Maybe"

Heaney talks about his year teaching in Berkeley, California in 1970.

America • 22 Apr 15

Boston State House in 1988. © RTÉ Archives 0823/015

America

In 1970 Seamus Heaney was offered a one-year position as visiting lecturer at the Berkeley campus of the University of California.

1970 • 23 Apr 15

Sugar Loaf Mountain, Wicklow © RTÉ Archives 2309/015

Entrapment, Excitement and Renewal

More than 20 years later, Heaney looks back on his decision to leave Belfast and recalls the political conditions of the time.

Belfast to Wicklow • 22 Apr 15

Walking Into Uncertainty

Heaney describes the circumstances that led him to leave Belfast for Wicklow

Belfast to Wicklow • 18 Aug 15

"There Was Absolute Delight At Being Published

Heaney recalls literary life in Belfast and the publication of his first book.

Belfast to Wicklow • 22 Apr 15

Belfast City, 1982 © RTÉ Archives 2058/034

Encounters with Books and Poets

On leaving university Heaney won a book token, which he used to buy books by Irish writers.

Belfast to Wicklow • 18 Apr 16

Queen's University Belfast, 1969 © RTÉ Archives 2141/064

"Sectarian Differences Mattered Nil"

Heaney reminisces about going to Belfast to study at Queen's University.

Belfast to Wicklow • 22 Apr 15

A School "Terrifically Devoted to Academic Excellence"

Heaney recalls his days at St Columb's College in Derry.

Formative Years • 22 Apr 15

Growing Up in a Divided Community

Heaney describes what it was like to grow up in a mixed community.

Formative Years • 23 Aug 17

Dublin Classroom, 1979. © RTÉ Archives 2284/041

Books, Comics and Writing Proper Compositions

As a child, Heaney read adventure stories and comics but was taught to write in a formal, conventional style.

1981 • 25 Feb 21

Primary School Classroom © RTÉ Archives 2284/040

Primary School Days

Fairy tales, new copy books and learning to write are all stong memories for Heaney from his early school days.

Formative Years • 13 Apr 17

The accompanying image of potatoes was taken in 1986. © RTÉ Archives 0731/031

"A Woman of Great Strength and Forcefulness"

Heaney talks about his mother and her generation of religious faith.

Formative Years • 22 Apr 15

"Boundaries Were the Whole Thing"

Heaney describes the geographical boundaries of his home place and talks about his parents.

Formative Years • 10 Apr 18

Dwyer McAllister Cottage, County Wicklow (1988)

"My First Sense of Myself..."

Seamus Heaney recalls his earliest childhood memories and a young boy's fascination with the place names on the radio dial.

1981 • 22 Apr 15

Formative Years

Memory and place are prominent in the work of Seamus Heaney.

Formative Years • 23 Apr 15

Seamus Heaney died after a short illness last September

Hundreds attend event celebrating Seamus Heaney

Over 600 people are attending a night of poetry and music in Galway tonight to celebrate the life of Seamus Heaney.

News • 26 Feb 14

Seamus Heaney died in Dublin on 30 August

'Literary wake' held for Seamus Heaney in London

Seamus Heaney's poems were last night toasted as "reports from the heart" at a "literary wake" for the late poet and Nobel laureate.

News • 21 Nov 13

In a Field: Seamus Heaney's posthumously published poem is in today's editions of The Irish Times and Guardian.

Previously unpublished Heaney poem appears

Seamus Heaney's poem, on a war theme, written shortly before his death, can be read in today's edition of the Irish Times and Guardian newspapers.

Entertainment • 26 Oct 13

Rosenstock on Heaney

Now a famous impersonator Mario Rosenstock appeared in an RTÉ News vox pop on the day that Seamus Heaney won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Before Fame • 21 Apr 15

Funeral of Seamus Heaney takes place in Dublin

The funeral mass for Seamus Heaney, who died suddenly on Friday aged 74, took place this morning at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook in Dublin.

Entertainment • 02 Sep 13

Seamus Heaney was buried next to his brother Christopher

Poet Seamus Heaney laid to rest

Poet and Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney has been laid to rest in his native Bellaghy in Co Derry after a funeral mass in Dublin attended by hundreds of mourners.

News • 02 Sep 13

Seamus Heaney Postscript

During an appearance on the Marian Finucane Show in 2009, Seamus Heaney recites his poem 'Postscript' from the collection 'The Spirit Level', which was written in 1996.

Seamus Heaney • 20 Mar 18

'A written chain; we'll call it a human chain' - Seamus Heaney

Seamus Heaney - An Obituary

A master poet and family man, a Nobel laureate and friend, a guest of royalty and farmer's son: Seamus Heaney had a life which was a smooth blend of the ordinary and extraordinary.

Special Reports • 30 Aug 13

Seamus Heaney 1939 - 2013

Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney had a long relationship with RTÉ, from his first appearance on The Late Late Show in the 1960s to reading from his work Mid Term Break to the 15-cd box set of his poems, Heaney at 70, produced to celebrate his 70th birthday.

Seamus Heaney • 21 Aug 20