THE Mayor of Derry has
extended the duration of a book of condolence for
the late poet Seamus Heaney due to the large numbers
of people travelling to the city to write messages
of sympathy since his death last month.
More than 3,000 people have already filled four
books of condolence at Derry’s Guildhall, prompting
the local council to open a fifth book for a final
week, until Friday, October 4.
Meanwhile, month's mind masses for the Co Derry-born
Nobel laureate, who died on August 30, will be
offered today at various locations around the
country.
A large attendance is expected to join his family at
a month's mind service at midday in St Mary's Church
in Bellaghy, Co Derry.
Another memorial mass will be offered at 10.30am at
Sligo Cathedral followed by a day of remembrance
hosted by the Yeats Society.
The Yeats Memorial Building will be open from 11am
until 3pm to allow people to congregate, recite
poetry and recount their stories and memories of the
much-loved wordsmith.
Derry Mayor, Cllr Martin Reilly, said arrangements
were being put together to have the books of
condolence delivered to the Heaney family.
“The hundreds of people that took the time to come
into the Guildhall and convey their sympathies at
the death of Seamus Heaney shows the depth of
feeling people have for him," said Cllr Reilly. |