PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins led tributes to Bob Dylan today as the music legend marked his 80th birthday.
In a letter the president praised Dylan's musical and political achievements and began by writing "as one 80-year-old to another".
It comes as events were held across the world to mark the singer's birthday, with memories of his extraordinary career spanning six decades remembered by fans across the globe.
The letter from President Higgins, who also recently celebrated his 80th birthday, referenced the poem Michael by William Wordsworth, which focuses on the rural life of an older shepherd.
Message from President Higgins to Bob Dylan, on the occasion of the singer-songwriter's birthday. pic.twitter.com/2c75EU2a77
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) May 24, 2021
"As one 80-year-old to another, and as one poet to another, I felt I should share with you my view that the best poem on an 80-year-old is William Wordsworth’s poem Michael, which deals with the consequences of the enclosures in England in the 18th century, and their making of a working-class of men, women and children for the factory system at the cost of intimate rural life," he wrote.
"I feel it’s a beautiful work and would love sometime to talk to you about it.
"In 2016, I said of you: ‘Bob Dylan’s linking of the American folk tradition to moral, economic and political challenges has been a significant achievement and the appeal of his music has been inter-generational.
"His lyrics, with their rhythms, have linked followers of country, jazz and rock to counter-cultural and politically engaged movements.
"In doing this, he has narrowed the space between the poetic, the musical and the political'.
"My opinion hasn’t changed.
"Keep going. Good luck with everything. Traoslaím leat (I congratulate you). Beir Bua (May victory be yours)."
As Dylan's life was celebrated today, the influence that Irish musicians - such as the Irish folk music group The Clancy Brothers and Co Armagh-born Tommy Makem - had on his music was also remembered.
In the 1984 documentary, The Story of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Dylan had high praise for Liam Clancy.
"I’d never heard a singer as good as Liam, ever," he said.
"He was just the best ballad singer I’d ever heard in my life - still is, probably."
Irish folk singer and songwriter Tommy Sands told The Irish of how the singer was "heavily influenced" by The Clancy Brothers and Irish rebel songs.
"Dylan hung around in Greenwich Village in New York when the Clancys would have been performing," he said.
"They had a big impact on Dylan and his music.
"Dylan would seen the Clancys playing at the White Horse Tavern in Greenwich Village and particularly was taken by their rebel songs. He would have watched them play and followed them around."
Sands, who saw Dylan perform in Belfast more than 20 years ago, said the American singer was "intrigued" by the rebel music.
"Dylan was inspired by them and began to write rebel songs, he used a lot of the Clancys melodies and changed them, like Brennan on the Moor became Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie," he said.
"Without doubt, The Clancy Brothers heavily influenced Dylan, he was intrigued by them and they had a major impact on his music."
The Rolling Stones and Sinead O’Connor were also among a number of artists to wish Dylan a happy birthday on social media and a host of Irish artists will celebrate his birthday in a special live streamed event this evening hosted from the US Ambassador’s Residence in Dublin.
Curated by Other Voices, there will be songs, poetry and collaborations in honour of his music.
Lisa Hannigan, Cinder Well and Paul Brady were among those who took part in the event.
