Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Queen’s ‘did not ask family’ for use of Heaney portrait
University responds in centenary row
QUEEN’S University did not seek permission from Seamus Heaney’s family for his portrait to be used in UK government marketing for Northern Ireland’s centenary.
It broke its three-month silence on the row in a Freedom of Information response to the Mirror.
Seeking permission for the distribution of portraits in its collection is “not standard practice”, but representatives have since made contact with the late poet’s family.
The British government faced criticism in December for using the painting in promoting events to mark 100 years since the formation of Northern Ireland.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood called it a “cynical attempt” to reduce the Nobel laureate’s image to a “branding tool to promote that narrative about partition”.
But DUP MP Gavin Robinson defended the branding as “wholly inclusive” and said the response from some politicians showed a “lack of generosity”.
Heaney, who grew up in rural Co Derry and died in Dublin in 2013, often spoke of his Irish Catholic and nationalist heritage.
The row also extended to whether the Heaney family had been consulted.
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) did not consult the family, but said permission was received from Queen’s University which holds the rights to the portrait.
It initially said approval came from the
Seamus Heaney Centre at the university, but issued a clarification after the centre’s director disputed this.
Glenn Patterson said the centre could not have granted permission as it does not own the portrait.
He added even if it could have, it “would not have done so – nor would it ever do anything that involved Seamus Heaney’s name – without first consulting the Heaney family”.
The university had declined to comment throughout the controversy. The Heaney family have also not commented.
Queen’s has now confirmed it did not receive any payment for the UK government’s use of the portrait by Tai Shan Schierenberg.
It added: “It is not standard practice for the university to seek permission for the use of portraits in their collection with the sitter and/or artist and in this case, the university did not therefore seek permission from the Heaney family about its use.
“However, university representatives have been in contact with the Heaney family on this matter.”
Queen’s confirmed a request for use of the portrait was received from the NIO on December 3 and permission was granted on December 7.
It declined to disclose relevant correspondence, citing “personal information” and data protection exemptions.
The UK government is spending £3million commemorating Northern Ireland’s centenary.
[We] have been in contact with the Heaney family on this matter QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY ON THE PORTRAIT OF THE POET
TOP TEAM
THE Irish dominated the Cheltenham Festival yesterday as six horses triumphed on St Patrick’s Day.
After making history by becoming the first woman to win a Championship race at the meeting on Tuesday, Rachael Blackmore bookended day two with wins on 6/4 favourite Bob Olinger for Henry de Bromhead and again with Sir Gerhard in the Champion Bumper.
She said: “It’s unbelievable. I’m so delighted for [owner] Brian Acheson and his family – he puts a lot into this game and he’s got a very special horse on his hands now.”
Waterford trainer de Bromhead was celebrating again after Put The Kettle On won the Queen Mother Champion Chase with Corkman Aidan Coleman on board, as short favourite Chacun Pour Soi finished third.
Coleman said: “I had the partner with the attitude and ability. It’s fantastic.
“I don’t know what it is about Cheltenham with her as this is the only place I’ve ridden her.
“As long as she can come here a couple of times a year and do the business we’re happy enough.
“If I could bottle what she has I wouldn’t have to ride again – I’d sell it, and be a rich man. When you ride something
that loves it and wants to win as much as this, it’s just a pleasure, it brings you back to your roots and why you wanted to get into the game, and that’s for the love of the animal.
“You can’t not watch this race and the jumps she put in and her attitude from the back of the last [and not] really appreciate what they do for us.”
There was huge support as two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll won at the festival for an incredible fifth time by landing the Glenfarclas Chase under Meath rider Keith Donoghue.
Owned by Ryanair boss Michael O’leary, the 11-year-old was running in Denise “Sneezy” Foster’s name because of shamed Gordon Elliott’s suspension.
Keith said: “He really came alive today. I was in control from halfway and within his comfort zone – when Tiger Roll is like that, you don’t take him back.
“We never doubted we had him peaking for the right time. We were happy with his last run in Navan on ground that he absolutely hates.
“I knew the way he was going today, it would take a good horse to get by him.
“We had faith and knew what this
SPECIAL BREW Aidan Coleman on Put The Kettle On
I’m just delighted for the owner. He puts a lot in RACHAEL BLACKMORE CHELTENHAM YESTERDAY
CLAWS FOR CELEBRATION Keith Donoghue wins on Tiger Roll horse could show.” O’leary’s brother Eddie, who is also a manager at Gigginstown House, added: “That was unbelievable – what a fantastic horse. He’s a legend.
“There was a rush to retire this horse earlier but he’s a crosscountry horse and we always said we’ll wait to see how he gets on over the cross-country fences once more.
“To win at five festivals is amazing, what a horse. Aintree is off the agenda and we’ve no regrets about that. Both him
To win at five festivals is just amazing. What a horse. He just loves racing EDDIE O’LEARY ON TIGER ROLL AT CHELTENHAM YESTERDAY
and Easysland are rated too high. He is rated the equal of our Gold Cup horse, Delta Work, and we know he’s not as good. It’s going to be hard to retire him after that, now. He loves racing.”
Ireland’s domination on day one led to Paddy Power paying out on the visitors winning the Prestbury Cup before today’s action even starts.
And there were more joyous scenes as young Cork rider Richie Condon rode Heaven Help Us to victory for Kilkenny trainer Paul Hennessey.
The 24-year-old didn’t need any help
from the Gods as he gave the 33/1 shot a brilliant ride from the front and nobody could get close to the mare as she powered up the hill. An ecstatic Condon, who was given a guard of honour by the Irish jockeys after the race, said: “It’s my first experience over here and I’m delighted. “You dream about these kind of things and for it to happen in such an early stage in my career it hasn’t sunk it in yet.
“I’m disappointed pubs aren’t open but back home we are dairy farmers and there won’t be a cow milked for a week.”
Hennessy added: “We took a chance – and wasn’t Richie brilliant? He’s never ridden round here before, and he just took the race by the scruff of the neck.
“She’s just amazing – I can’t describe her. We bred her – she was born in Rathbawn, and I’ve raised her. The places she’s taken us is just ridiculous. It’s amazing.”
Earlier, Monkfish landed the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase for Willie Mullins who also won with Sir Gerhard.