RTÉ's search for A Poem For Ireland – the nation's best-loved poem from the past century – is finally over. The public have been voting on a shortlist of 10 since January and this afternoon President Michael D. Higgins has confirmed the winner in front of a live audience during a special filming of The Works
The sonnet 'When All The Others Were Away At Mass' [from Clearances III - In Memoriam M.K.H., 1911-1984] by Seamus Heaney topped RTÉ's poll, ending a campaign that began last September and fending off competition from the likes of Patrick Kavanagh and WB Yeats.
The late poet's son Mick Heaney said:
“We are delighted and honoured that my father’s sonnet 'When All the Others Were Away At Mass' has been voted by the public as the Poem For Ireland, particularly given the magnificent shortlist it was part of. Dad was never happier than when reading or writing poetry, so for his work to be part of a project that shows the sweep of Irish poetry and underlines its crucial part in our culture is a wonderful tribute to his life and work, for which our family are truly grateful. ”
The Royal Irish Academy event, along with an interview with The President, will air in a special edition of The Works on RTÉ One at 8.30pm this Friday March 13.