Dear reader, Samuel Beckett was a monumental literary figure of the 20th century, noted for winning the Nobel Prize. Generally, his literary works were seen as somber and semi-legendary, an accurate description.
Through an engaging short piece, “Walking in Samuel Beckett’s footsteps” penned by Alan Gilsenan (Books, September 13th), one uncovers another facet of the man. As a young lad, he built a distinct character while meandering through the Dublin mountains with his father. Close to home in Foxrock, he would quietly soak in the natural beauty of the surroundings.
It seems, these profound emotions stayed with him, continuing to affect him in later life. They found expression in some of his most acclaimed works with references to places like Ballyogan and the Glencree valley, among others.
Some years back, I had an opportunity to visit his grave at the Montparnasse cemetery in Paris. His tombstone, a tidy piece of shiny granite, was adorned with a large bunch of fresh purple heather. This seemed a fitting tribute to the man, who always held a deep affection for his Irish heritage.
Best,
Mary Rigney,
Kilgobbin,
Dublin 18.