Tributes to Seamus Heaney flood Twitter

RIP Seamus Heaney. #threewordtweet pic.twitter.com/wLhRLM2Jpa

— Cliff House Hotel (@cliffhousehotel) August 30, 2013

Amnesty International Ireland is describing Seamus Heaney as a warm, generous and compassionate man who will be missed by not only those who knew him but those touched by his work.

The poet, playwright and Nobel Laureate passed away this morning in a Dublin hospital.

Seamus Heaney's family confirmed his death in a short statement.

The 74-year-old, originally from Co Derry who lived in Sandymount in Dublin, died at the Blackrock Clinic.

The world famous poet and playwright, who was awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize for Literature, had been ill for a short time.

He is survived by his wife Marie and his three children - Christopher, Michael and Catherine Ann.

An extended programme of Arena will air this evening at 7pm in honour of the late Seamus Heaney.

— RTÉ Radio 1 (@RTERadio1) August 30, 2013

Executive Director Colm O'Gorman said Heaney was a man whose empathy for the powerless and the marginalised was matched by his magnificent capacity to construct language which demanded a deep reflection on what it means to be human.

How can we find words to voice the depth of our loss on the passing of the man who spoke from our collective heart? RIP Seamus Heaney.

— Colm O'Gorman (@Colmogorman) August 30, 2013

In 1985, Seamus Heaney wrote the poem 'From the Republic of Conscience' for Amnesty International to mark International Human Rights Day.

Seamus Heaney died today.
FROM THE REPUBLIC OF CONSCIENCE
This poem was written by Seamus in 1985 at the... http://t.co/dqFa5PHKeS

— Amnesty Bermuda (@AmnestyBermuda) August 30, 2013

The Irish National Teachers Organisation said Seamus had made an indelible mark on Irish education, as well as the world of literature.

He began his career as a teacher before becoming a lecturer and was honoured by the INTO for his contribution to education in 2011.

In a statement INTO General Secretary Sheila Nunan said Heaney will be fondly remembered not only as a poet and a scholar but as a great teacher and teacher educator.

In the North, Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP said Seamus Heaney brought international renown to the entire island.

Nobel Prize-winning Irish poet Seamus Heaney, who died today at 74 in Dublin, had a long association with Harvard.

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) August 30, 2013