Northern Ireland

Thomas Kinsella described as 'one of Ireland’s finest poets' following news of his death

The Dublin-born poet died aged 93. Picture from RTÉ
The Dublin-born poet died aged 93. Picture from RTÉ The Dublin-born poet died aged 93. Picture from RTÉ

ACCLAIMED writer Thomas Kinsella was last night described as "one of Ireland’s finest poets" following news of his death.

The Dublin-born poet died aged 93.

One of his best known works was Butcher's Dozen, written in the aftermath of Bloody Sunday, as well as the Táin, his translation of the Irish prose epic Táin Bó Cúailnge.

He was poet in residence at Illinois University in the US and later, Professor of English at Temple University, Philadelphia.

Generations of Leaving Cert students were also familiar with Mr Kinsella for his poetry, which included Mirror in February.

He was granted the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 2007 and a plaque was erected on his childhood home in Inchicore, an area that features in his poetry.

Mr Kinsella also received numerous other awards including honorary doctorates from UCD and Trinity College.

Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne paid tribute to Mr Kinsella, describing him as "one of our greatest poets".

"Kinsella was, if I remember, the only living poet we studied in English class at school," he wrote on Twitter.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland, also said: "His pride in his home city of Dublin shone through his work".

She said the Dublin flags on the Mansion House and City Hall would fly at half-mast to mark his death.