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Michael Longley (1939–2025) was a celebrated Northern Irish poet known for his lyrical precision, classical allusions, and meditations on war, nature, and reconciliation. A key figure in the Belfast Group alongside Seamus Heaney and Derek Mahon, he wrote ‘Ceasefire‘ (1994) during The Troubles, linking Homer’s Iliad to Northern Ireland’s conflict. His work earned prestigious awards, including the Whitbread Poetry Prize, the T.S. Eliot Prize, and the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry. Deeply influenced by Carrigskeewaun’s landscapes, his poetry balanced intimate reflection with historical gravity. His legacy endures through his profound contributions to Irish literature and his compassionate, incisive voice.
