The son of acclaimed Belfast poet Michael Longley said his family have been “overwhelmed” with the outpouring of love following his passing.
He made an emotional address at Mr Longley’s funeral in the city today.
Mr Longley died in hospital at the age of 85 on January 22.
Irish President Michael D Higgins arrives for the funeral of acclaimed Belfast poet Michael Longley at All Souls Church in Belfast. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
His funeral took place this afternoon in All Souls Church followed by a private committal at Roselawn Crematorium.
Irish President Michael D Higgins was among a series of well-known faces at the service, as was Marie Devlin, the widow of the late Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney.
Lady Mary Peters (right). Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Also present were Olympic hero Lady Mary Peters, author Glenn Patterson, SDLP leader Claire Hanna and former unionist MP Lady Sylvia Hermon.
A representative of Taoiseach Micheal Martin attended the funeral
Addressing mourners, Rev Chris Hudson said that Mr Longley’s memory and poetry will forever remain a blessing.
Rev Hudson said Mr Longley had managed to enter people’s consciousness.
“That is a noble place for the poet to be,” he said.
“The poet touches the soul of people. Preachers and politicians can make speeches or sermons that use thousands of words to touch our imagination, but the poet can manage with few yet go straight to the heart, such as Michael.”
Family members gave reflections and readings.
Mr Longley’s son Daniel said his father would have loved the fuss made of him in his passing and that the outpouring of love for him had been overwhelming.
Mr Longley won a series of awards throughout his life including the TS Eliot Prize, the Feltrinelli International Prize and the Whitbread Poetry Prize.
He was made a CBE in 2010 as well as being awarded the freedom of Belfast.
A funeral notice for Mr Longley stated: “Michael will be remembered widely for his warmth, humour, friendship, intellect and his many contributions to the arts on the island of Ireland, in the UK, and across the world.
“In particular, his wonderful poems will remain with us always, providing comfort and a continuing close connection to him.
“His words will live on forever.”
Roisin McDonough, the chief executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said Longley had been a “towering figure” of Northern Ireland arts for 60 years.
She added: “He was one of our truly great poets, one of the most respected and influential of his generation, his name spoken alongside Heaney, Carson and Mahon, all of whom are sadly now no longer with us.
“We have lost a guide, a friend, an inspiration, but his poetry will last – and it will be cherished by generations to come.”
Mr Longley is survived by his wife, Edna, and children Rebecca, Daniel and Sarah.