Heaney caught our hearts off guard

The 2009 documentary Out of the Marvellous on the life and work of Seamus Heaney was re-broadcast on the day he died, Aug 30.

I had not seen it four years ago and was bowled over by it when I watched it this time. I felt I had got a glimpse into the soul of a uniquely gifted human being.

I was struck by his gentleness, his humility, his empathy, his simple eloquence and, above all, by his humanity. All of these attributes fused in a very special way to make Seamus Heaney the gifted man we, as Irish citizens, have become so proud of.