Sir, - I was very taken aback at the poverty of literary notice on the recent death of Somhairle Mac Ghill Eain. One would have thought that the media here, in Britain and elsewhere would have been more aware of his greatness, his unique contribution to world poetry. It is chilling beyond belief to know that our school leavers never heard of him!
The current issue of the poetry journal Innti (No. 15) is dedicated to Sorley, the man and the poet who - with his brother - had such close ties with Ireland. The gathering of admirers in Comhdhail Naisiunta na Gaeilge's offices in Kildare Street at his burial hour - the piping, the eulogies, the anecdotes, the psalm reading in Scots Gaelic - was utterly moving.
Sorley was one of the most magnetic performers ever on the poetry circuit, and certainly one of the most genuine. His stature as a world poet may never be fully realised until he becomes available in major languages - and how translate that bardic timbre that majesty of line? His art was inimitable. Gaeldom has lost a hawk, has lost a deer, a lion. - Is me agat go buioch beannachtach
Gleann na gCaorach,
Co A.C.