Poet Heaney's Last Words Revealed At Funeral

Nobel laureate and poet Seamus Heaney's last words to his wife were "don't be afraid", one of his son's has revealed at his funeral.

Family and friends of the world renowed writer joined hundreds of mourners at a church in south Dublin to pay last respects to one of Ireland's literary greats.

The internationally acclaimed 74-year-old writer died unexpectedly in hospital on Friday after a short illness.

Mourners at his funeral at the Sacred Heart Church in Donnybrook - near where the Northern Ireland-born poet made his home - were led by his widow Marie and children Michael, Christopher and Catherine Ann.

Michael spoke briefly at the end of the service to thank those who cared for his father and those who have offered support and praise since his death.

Former US president Bill Clinton paid tribute to Heaney

"His last few words in a text message he wrote to my mother minutes before he passed away were in his beloved Latin and they read - 'nolle timere' ['don't be afraid']," he said.

Irish president Michael Higgins, himself a published poet, attended along with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and former president Mary McAleese and her husband Martin.

Heaney's body will travel the 125 miles north to be buried this evening in his native Bellaghy in Co Derry - a village that inspired so much of his work.

Paul Muldoon, a teacher, poet and friend of Heaney, gave the eulogy following the service.

"We remember the beauty of Seamus Heaney as a bard and today in particular in his being," he said.

Heaney is widely regarded as a literary great

His lifelong friend and poetry contemporary Michael Longley were among the mourners, along with musician Paul Brady and U2 stars Bono - with his wife Ali Hewson - Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton.

Heaney has been hailed as the greatest poet Ireland produced since William Butler Yeats.

Former US president Bill Clinton paid tribute to Heaney, describing him as "our finest poet of the rhythms of ordinary lives" and a "powerful voice for peace".

Mr Kenny has said it would take Heaney himself to describe the depth of loss Ireland felt over his death.

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