TRIBUTES HAVE been paid to Irish poet Eavan Boland, who has passed away at the age of 75.
Ms Boland, who was one of Ireland's best-known and most beloved poets, passed away at her home in Dublin yesterday, 27 April, following a stroke, her family have said.
A talented poet, having started her career as a student and whose poetry was read and revered across the globe, Ms Boland's work focused on the lives and struggles of Irish women, and her writing receive multiple awards throughout her lifetime, regularly appearing on English state examination papers.
Ms Boland was Professor of English and the director of the creative writing programme at Stanford University in the United States, and split her time between America and Ireland in her later years.
"A staggering loss" to the Irish poet community: Eavan Boland has died at the age of 75 (Image: Eavan Boland)Her passing has drawn heartfelt tributes from public figures,colleagues and those whose lives her poetry has touched, with the tributes led by President of Ireland and fellow poet, Michael D Higgins.
He said “With the passing of Eavan Boland Ireland has lost not only an internationally acclaimed poet, distinguished academic and author, but one of the most insightful inner sources of Irish life, not only in life as expressed but as sensed and experienced.
"It was her particular gift to reveal the beauty in the ordinary."
“With the passing of Eavan Boland Ireland has lost not only an internationally acclaimed poet, distinguished academic and author, but one of the most insightful inner sources of Irish life.”
Statement by President Higgins on the death of Eavan Boland: https://t.co/ycLNSHnF1v— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) April 28, 2020
Praising her work, President Higgins continued: "The revealing of a hidden Ireland, in terms of what was suffered, neglected, evaded, given insufficient credit, is a part of her achievement."
"To all of us who had the privilege of knowing her, her passing is a source of great loss and sadness," he continued, before offering his condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also offered his condolences, calling Ms Boland "one of our best & boldest poets, someone whose work showed a remarkable sympathy and warmth.
Very sorry to hear Eavan Boland has died. One of our best & boldest poets, someone whose work showed a remarkable sympathy & warmth. She documented the lives of women in history & culture & explored how the difficult truth about the past can help us make sense of the present.
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) April 27, 2020
"She documented the lives of women in history & culture & explored how the difficult truth about the past can help us make sense of the present."
A spokesperson for Poetry Ireland said her death is "a staggering loss" to the poetry community, while UCD Press Publishers thanked her for life's work, with her poetry "leaving us so much to ponder".
Ms Boland's daughter, Eavan Casey, said she is "utterly heartbroken".
My wonderful mum.Just utterly heartbroken.I am immensely proud of all that she achieved,the legacy she leaves behind and that her powerful voice will continue to be an inspiration to so many. RIP mum,it’s been an utter privilege being your daughter x #EavanBoland @poetryireland https://t.co/XYyAHPiP4i
— Eavan Casey (@CaseyEavan) April 27, 2020
"I am immensely proud of all that she achieved, the legacy she leaves behind and that her powerful voice will continue to be an inspiration to so many.
"RIP mum, it's been an utter privilege being your daughter."
May she rest in peace.
