Death of poet and critic, Séan Ó Tuama

WRITER Seán Ó Tuama, a former professor of Irish literature at University College Cork, died peacefully yesterday morning. He was 80.

A poet, dramatist and critic, Mr Ó Tuama gave his life to the advancement of the Gaelic tradition.

He pioneered the critical analysis of literature in modern Irish as a professional academic discipline.

During a 40-year teaching career at UCC, he inspired a generation of new Irish poets, including Colm Breatnach, Mícheál Davitt, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill and Liam Ó Muirthile.

Mr Ó Tuama and his eight siblings grew up in Gurranabraher on Cork’s northside. He lived with his wife, Betty, on the Lee Road and had been unwell for some time. He is survived by Betty, their children four children, his four brothers and a sister.

Mr Ó Tuama is perhaps best known for his 1981 work, An Duanaire: Poems of the Dispossessed.

His remains will be removed tonight from O’Connor’s Funeral Home in Wilton to the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road. He will be buried tomorrow after 2pm Requiem Mass.