DERMOT HEALY
TRIBUTES FLOW FOR THE LATE LITERARY GIANT
IRISH novelist, playwright and master of literature, Dermot Healy, died suddently in his North Sligo home on Sunday evening.
The poet and actor was 66 years old.
His wife, Helen, was by his side at their Ballyconnell house.
Dermot passed away shortly after 8pm having apparently suffered a heart attack.
Friend and neighbour Brian Leyden said that the news was very shocking. “Dermot’s death was unexpected. “He had been in a car crash on the Manorhamilton road in February, he had been recuperating at home.
“His leg was broken, both he and Helen had been very shaken, but he seemed to be doing well. “He had failed a bit, losing weight. “All of a sudden I got a call on Sunday evening that he had suffered cardiac arrest.”
Brian went to Dermot’s house and neighbour Mick Murphy also helped administer CPR, although, sadly nothing could be done.
Brian said: “It was peaceful, he was in his bed, Helen and friends were there.”
Brian has known the literary great since the late 1980s.
“Dermot’s death is going to be a big blow to the community and the wider area.
“There is a terrific community here in Maugherow, they are all rallying around.
“Dermot had been living here more than 20 years, he was looking for a place to live and found this ideal house on the edge of a cliff.
“I first got to know him in 1988 when he was working on A Goat’s Song. The sea was a huge source of inspiration for him, also in poems such as The Ballyconnell Colours and A Fool’s Errand.
“So too were his neighbours and the people living out here.
“People may remember the RTE programme, The Writing in the Sky, which focused on Dermot’s life here.
“He took almost a personal possession of the migrating Barnacle geese!”.
Brian said that Dermot, who was a founder of Force 10 magazine, was always involved in the publishing and theatre community.
Dermot enjoyed being a part of North Sligo, Brian added.
“He loved older people and being at the centre of the extensive farming, fishing and music community here.
“There is also a big arts community, Dermot was a long- standing friend of Sean MacSweeney and Leland Bardwell, who live in Ballyconnell.”
Brian said that there is a rich tradition between neighbours and friends of celebrating New Year’s together.
“His son, Dallan, lives in Grange and is a very fine photographer, following in a sense in the artistic, creative side.
“His daughter, Einear, lives in Rosses Point.
“My heart goes out to Helen, she is a very grounded woman.
“Dermot was widely travelled, he was a major presence and has a wide stretch in the literary landscape. “I’ll certainly miss him,” he said. Dermot was born in Finea, Westmeath and spent his childhood in Cavan.
A member of Aosdána, his work influenced numerous fellow writers, and undoubtedly will continue to do so.
His play, Women to the Left, Men to the Right, was staged by the Abbey Theatre.
Speaking to Clr Declan Bree said: “Dermot
Healy’s sudden and untimely death has left the Irish literary world without one of its most important authors and poets.
“Dermot’s contribution to the world of Irish literature was immeasurable.
“He was an exceptional and unique writer and poet.
“While Dermot Healy was born in Westmeath and raised in Cavan, he can certainly be described as an adopted son of Sligo.
“It is said that when a writer dies the world is a sadder place.
“Dermot Healy’s novels, his stories and his poetry will be a lasting gift to all of us.
“I offer my sympathy to Helen and his children whom I hope take solace in the fact that Dermot’s work and writings will live on for generations to come.”
Tributes also flowed online after news of his death spread.
Sinead Gleeson, arts journalist with RTE said: “Dermot contributed a story to Silver Threads of Hope and was a gentleman to deal with.”
Publishing Ireland said: “Very sad to hear of the passing of Dermot Healy.”
Leitrim- based artist Cormac O’Leary added: “Sad news – great Irish writer Dermot Healy passes.”
Sligo Events tweeted: “So sad to hear of the death of Dermot Healy this morning.”
Writer Mary O’Donnell added: “Dermot Healy's death, too soon, too sudden. ‘ A Goat's Song’ his finest novelistic achievement?
“Founder of Force 10 magazine in Sligo.”
Irish Writers Centre said: “Dermot Healy, rest in peace.
“An incredible yet under- celebrated writer and poet.”
Local photographer Ciaran McHugh said: “Sad to hear about death of Dermot Healy, RIP.
“He opened my first exhibition back in 2008. Decent man.”
Producer Tommy Weir also paid tribute to Healy.
He said: “Sad to hear that Sligo's great Dermot Healy has passed away. His Bend For Home had me in tears on the New York subway more than once.”
Fellow playwright and novelist Michael Harding paid tribute to the great man and great writer on Morning Ireland yesterday.
The Hawk’s Well theatre tweeted: “So sad to hear of the passing of author Dermot Healy.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Adrian Eames, of RTE, said: “In another life I was lucky to work with Dermot Healy. “So sad to hear of his passing. “There will be some Cavan crack up there tonight.”
In the 2010 RTE Programme about Dermot’s life in Ballyconnell, the late Seamus Heaney said: “I think of Dermot Healy as the heir to Patrick Kavanagh”.
Roddy Doyle hailed him Ireland’s greatest writer.
The programme followed Dermot and his dog, Tiny, horse, Lucky and 3,000 geese from Greenland who migrated to the North Sligo coast.
Healy’s love for the rugged place that inspired him was clearly evident.
While speaking about his last book, Long Time, No See, in 2011, he said of Ballyconnell: “While I’m here looking out at it, it may not do much to me, but when I’m on a train, or when I’m writing, the landscape haunts me.
“I suppose it’s the visual I’m haunted by, the things I see, or by what other people tell me about what they see.”
Dermot’s remains will be reposing in his home from Tuesday evening and Wednesday. House is private from 9pm. His funeral will take place on Thursday in Maugherow Church at 12pm with burial afterward.
“Dermot’s death is going to be a big blow to the community and the wider area. There is a terrific community here in Maugherow, they are all rallying around