On Thursday 18 November 2021 the Institute of Irish Studies welcomed Professor Roy Foster (Emeritus Professor of Irish History, University of Oxford, and author of "On Seamus Heaney") to deliver the second Annual Seamus Heaney Lecture. The event was introduced with a recital of Seamus Heaney's poetry by award winning Irish actress Sinéad Cusack.
The Institute was honoured to welcome Seamus Heaney's family to the lecture, including his wife Marie; daughter, Catherine; and sons, Christopher and Michael.
Sinéad Cusack began the event by reciting the poems The Ministry of Fear, Clearances, Sweeney Redevivus and Station Island – XII. This was followed by a lecture from Professor Foster in which he explored the prose writing of Seamus Heaney and how it is reflected in Heaney’s famous poetry.
Approximate timestamps:
5:50 - The Ministry of Fear
9:45 - Clearances
11:05 - Sweeney Redevivus
12:10 - Station Island – XII
18:00 - Professor Roy Foster's lecture
55:35 - Q&A
