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The North has changed dramatically, and unionism, instead of celebrating the centenary of the foundation of the Northern Irish state it used to dominate, is in crisis
Seamus Deane, leading Irish writer and critic, has died aged 81 Derry author best known for Reading in the Dark and Field Day Anthology of Irish Literature
Thu, May 13, 2021, 10:34 Updated: Thu, May 13, 2021, 10:52
Seamus Deane, for the past 50 years one of Ireland’s foremost writers and critics, best-known for his award-winning autobiographical novel Reading in the Dark and the landmark Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing, died last night in Beaumont Hospital after a short illness. He was 81.
Arts Council chair Prof Kevin Rafter said: “A gifted writer and a profound intellect, Seamus Deane was a master of every writing form. As a critic, an editor, a poet and a novelist, Deane brought concentrated rigour and empathy to his work. An inspiring teacher and continual advocate for Irish writing, Seamus Deane leaves behind a powerful literary and cultural legacy.
Oxford was a bit of a shock at first, meeting all those jolly Delilahs and willowy Ambers whoâd been sent to boarding school as children and seemed to transition seamlessly to college life, landing confident and with fully formed opinions in the junior common room. One fresher had just found out Martin Amis was her father. And they all seemed to know what sub fusc meant when it came to dressing for formal occasions.
Lots of students were braying about what theyâd done on what they called their gap year. Iâd been working in the Malibu Cafe in Derryâs Diamond, near the first World War memorial which most people ignored. Meanwhile, at Oxford, young people sat around talking late into the night about the beauty of mathematics. That wouldnât have been me now.