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Brendan Kennelly Trinity College Dublin

Celebrated poet Brendan Kennelly dies aged 85

During his lifetime, Kennelly wrote over 20 books of poetry, along with plays, novels and criticism.

CELEBRATED POET AND novelist Brendan Kennelly has died aged 85.

Born in Ballylongford in Co Kerry on 17 April 1936, Kennelly wrote over 20 books of poetry, along with plays, novels and criticism.

Some of his most famous works include Cromwell (1983/87), Poetry me Arse (1995) and more recently Reservoir Voices (2009).

He was also a Professor of Modern Literature at Trinity College Dublin for 30 years until his retirement in 2005.

Paying tribute to Kennelly, President Michael D Higgins said:

“As a poet, Brendan Kennelly had forged a special place in the affections of the Irish people. He brought so much resonance, insight, and the revelation of the joy of intimacy to the performance of his poems and to gatherings in so many parts of Ireland. He did so with a special charm, wit, energy and passion.

“Delivered from the flux of transacted life, ordinary words of the everyday had their beauty revealed for audiences and, in their recovery, the public shared life being celebrated.

“Brendan’s poetry is infused with the details and texture of life, its contradictions and moments of celebration including the wry experiences of football and politics.

With more than 30 collections, he leaves a major body of work, a legacy of teaching as Professor of Modern Literature at Trinity College Dublin, and the gratitude of so many younger poets whom he encouraged with honest and helpful critical advice.

President Higgins concluded: “There are many for whom an insightful and twinkling intelligence has left us, but it will endure in the lines of the poems as he wished.

Sabina and I offer our condolences to his sister Nancy, his brothers, Sean, John, Alan and Paddy, his granddaughters and the extended family as well as his wide circle of friends, all of whom treasured his presence among them, a friendship he valued.

Provost of Trinity College Dublin Linda Doyle described Kennelly as “an inspiring teacher, a talented poet and a warm and good humoured presence on campus”.

- Additional reporting from Adam Daly

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Dec 1st 2023, 11:49 AM

    Good.

    213
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    Mute lastfewchocices
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    Dec 1st 2023, 12:27 PM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: it’s excellent. Also interesting that the comments are open on this. Seems very random.

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    Mute Jen McC
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    Dec 1st 2023, 12:45 PM

    About time, the point of the vote was so people no longer had to travel. If you offer a health service, it needs to be local.

    163
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    Mute Sheila McNulty
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    Dec 1st 2023, 3:17 PM

    @Jen McC: health service its certainly not that for the baby

    129
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    Mute Chutes
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    Dec 1st 2023, 5:39 PM

    @Sheila McNulty: You gonna look after it for life? If not then it’s nothing to do with you.

    60
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    Mute Gerry Kelly
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    Dec 1st 2023, 1:29 PM

    5 more hospitals will be allowed provide “abortion services”
    AND you won’t be allowed hold even a silent vigil outside if you believe it’s wrong to kill unborn babies
    Our new “tolerant” and “progressive” Ireland is indeed a wonderful place

    176
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    Mute Margaret Brennan
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    Dec 1st 2023, 1:38 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: what don’t you hold a silent vigil on your own womb ?

    193
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    Mute Joanne Husband
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    Dec 1st 2023, 1:46 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: nor should you be allowed to, make your own decisions for yourself based on your beliefs/standards/morals and leave others to do so also.

    161
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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Dec 1st 2023, 1:51 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: Who told you unborn babies are being killed?

    How on Earth would any sensible person arrive at that conclusion?

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    Mute Ciaran Forde
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    Dec 1st 2023, 1:53 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: Yes absolutely the right call. Have the vigil in your backgarden.

    72
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    Mute Jon Doesn't
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    Dec 1st 2023, 2:14 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: light a candle in your own gaffe… Do as long a vigil as u like.. While doing so, ask gods forgiveness for poking your nose into other’s business and for judging others actions.. And if you have a green house, throw a stone or two.

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    Mute Colm O' Shea
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    Dec 1st 2023, 2:16 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: you can hold a vigil, just not directly outside a hospital, feel free to have a non silent vigil outside the Dail etc.
    Not allowed outside hospitals because it has been used to intimidate women who are going for legal medical treatment

    94
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    Mute The Anti palestine And Islam
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    Dec 1st 2023, 5:29 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: F off with your vigil.

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    Mute Chris O'Brien
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    Dec 1st 2023, 12:47 PM

    Imagine a hospital providing legal service being news.

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    Mute lucia
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    Dec 1st 2023, 8:32 PM

    As a nurse I saw my first abortion in the 80s in the uk it was horrific I’m glad I’m now retired and don’t have to see it done ever again

    66
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    Mute Jason Memail
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    Dec 2nd 2023, 11:41 PM

    @lucia: Ever see open heart surgery? Horrific stuff.

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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    Dec 1st 2023, 7:15 PM

    So they are expanding this service. Contrast with lack of any provision of dental services for children who need general anaesthetics.

    40
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    Mute Karen Byrne
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    Dec 1st 2023, 6:24 PM

    Absolutely disgusting to do this
    How you’d sleep at night would be beyond me
    Have a bit of cop on go on something if you dnt want a child

    59
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    Mute Jason Memail
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    Dec 2nd 2023, 11:43 PM

    @Karen Byrne: The irony of telling people to cop on while displaying zero. Poor effort at trolling, 2/10

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    Mute Simon Eales
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    Dec 1st 2023, 6:34 PM

    Two fingers up to the old Catholic Ireland. Viva la modern society

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    Mute Seanfhear míshásta
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    Dec 1st 2023, 6:26 PM

    Good but why has it taken so long?

    23
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