Respected poet and academic from Belfast, Gerald Dawe, passed away at 72 after a prolonged ailment. His life and contribution to literature were celebrated by President Michael D Higgins, peers, and friends. He released 13 collections throughout his career, his most recent being Another Time (Poems 1978-2023). Dawe’s journey started with pursuing an English degree at Ulster University, where he also completed his thesis on William Carleton. Following this, the University of Galway welcomed him as a lecturer and saw the launch of his first collection, in 1978.
A decade later, he shifted to TCD, taking on the roles of professor and first director of the Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing (1997-2015), choosing to retire in 2017. Apart from his poetry, Dawe was known for the 10 collections of essays and critiques he published, and several anthologies he edited, the most recent one being the Cambridge Companion to Irish Poets (2018). His accomplishments included being the recipient of the Lawrence O’Shaughnessy Award for Irish poetry in 2024.
President Higgins spoke of the last compilation he received from Dawe, ‘Revenant’, accompanied by John Behan’s artwork. The book had a special poem dedicated to Dawe’s father titled ‘Only Son’. Higgins complimented the increasing quality of Dawe’s work, becoming richer with each collection.
Dawe had a unique perspective that cemented his place in contemporary poetry. His poems wrestled with profound life issues, rooted in his experiences in Belfast. His work was known for its attention to detail, which Higgins compared to the varied skills required in a shipyard. Dawe valued quality, ensuring every line had purpose and contributed uniquely.
His death is a substantial loss to Irish poetry and its admirers. Despite his passing, acknowledgement for his work was still incoming, with an international award from the US being awaited. It would have added to the global praise he had already accumulated for his work.
Pat Boran and Gerry have a shared history that includes their time at University College Galway, now known by a different name. Their activities were not limited to academic research, although Gerry’s significant contribution on Carleton was one of many interests. They were also fellow political activists, navigating through periods of optimism, sporadic progression, and occasional disappointment. Their journeys were undertaken with humour, as Gerry brought to life through his poetry, a piece of which Pat holds dear.
None were shocked when Gerry initiated the Oscar Wilde Centre at Trinity College, given his longstanding fascination and extensive work on Wilde and his period.
Gerry had an inquisitive mind that rarely fixated on a single area. His ability to relate people’s everyday experiences, particularly those in terraced houses where relationships and daily life took precedence over broad ideological divides, made him a vital voice. The Northern poets were very much in his esteem, but his focus or predilection was for the immediate, personal, and symbolic aspects of everyday experiences as illustrated in his 2020 publication, “Looking Through You: Northern Chronicles”. It was noted that his work was continuously improving as he aged.
His book, dedicated to Dorothea, had a quote from Joseph Brodsky that encapsulates his approach to writing: “At certain periods of history it is only poetry that is capable of dealing with reality by condensing it into something graspable, something that otherwise wouldn’t be retained by the mind”. Gerald Dawe’s work is a formidable testament to this philosophy.
Ireland has suffered a great loss, and many of us mourn the demise of a treasured friend. His absence will greatly affect Sabina and me, along with our family. However, Dorothea, their daughter Olwen and his stepson Iarla will experience the greatest loss. To them, Sabina and I extend our deepest condolences, plus our love during this tragic period.
Gerry Dawe was a talented poet, known for his profound and insightful poems that mostly centred on ordinary life, the affection and bonds that shape our existence. Hailing from Belfast, he often expressed his appreciation towards the city in his works, notably by a passionate exploration of the origins of Van Morrison’s music, which originated from the same city. Much of his work provided a window into a peaceful past before the Troubles, and possibly hinted at a future evolving from it. Enthusiastic and visionary, he tremendously contributed to the compilation of Irish war poets.
In all aspects of his writing career – from being an educator and journal editor to an anthologist and companion to fellow poets – he contributed substantially more to the Irish writing community than he gained, exhibiting not only grace but a sense of satisfaction in doing so. Despite our personal endeavours, he advocated for the enhancement of the Irish literary world from its initial state, and his efforts undoubtedly served this purpose.
The text mentions Pat Boran, also a poet and an editor at Dedalus Press, who has recently released a collection titled ‘Then Again’, and Lucy Collins.
The avian creatures serenade atop the lofty boughs. Summer has yielded to autumn. The precise and contemplative verses of Gerry Dawe reverberate profoundly in a raucous world. From Belfast to Ireland’s west, and along Dublin’s shoreline, his poems delineate lasting mental and emotional territories that are discerning, observant, and astute. These rhetorically transparent yet conceptually intricate poems are genuine embodiments of the individual Gerry Dawe was, and the kindness and benevolence he brought to Irish lyrical literature. I first became acquainted with Gerry during my university years in the early nineties, and since then our journeys intersected frequently both in writing and in the realms of poetry and academic discourses. His critique on war poetry, particularly the exceptional ‘Earth Voices Whispering’, has revolutionised how we interpret and impart knowledge in this genre (intermittently amidst wars/ and during the war and afterwards – who can predict where subsequent conflicts may take place…) His analytical work encapsulates this vast scope of investigation and intellectual curiosity; he is as comfortable with the songs of Van Morrison as he is with the works of a neglected modernist scribe. About ten years ago, whilst I was assembling an anthology of Irish female poets, Gerry provided meaningful encouragement, offering literary content and networks, showing keen interest in the progression of the project. Later, he extended an invitation to Trinity to enable me to discuss these poets with his students. His faith in the significance of this endeavour and his readiness to accommodate other voices, sharing time and focus selflessly, is remarkably invaluable yet frequently unnoticed. His absence will be profoundly felt, in ways we are yet to conceive.
Lucy Collins is an associate professor of contemporary poetry at UCD and editor of Irish University Review
Peter Fallon
Gerry Dawe was an independent individual, operating according to his own terms and style.
We became friends some forty years ago and I printed the first of nine Gallery books in 1985, the most recent one being published just last September: Another Time (Poems 1978-2023). The unique simplicity devoid of pretentiousness in Gerry Dawe’s poetry is instantly recognisable – indeed, the simplicity was a signature style of Gerry’s work.”
Throughout his latter years, he was plagued by a series of health issues and underwent treatments such as radiotherapy and a novel chemotherapy drug. Despite being set to meet a new specialist later that year, he maintained a stoic attitude. In March, he ventured to Switzerland to perform a reading for The Joyce Foundation where an exhibition was dedicated to his work. In April, he was honoured with the O’Shaughnessy Award. Surprisingly, he sent me a letter a few weeks back, indicating that he was still hard at work and hinted at a fresh project by summer’s end.
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his cherished Dorothea, Olwen and Iarla. Unable to deny that his sincerity, earnestness, and laughter will be deeply missed; the void is truly overwhelming. Peter Fallon, who is the founder and publisher of The Gallery Press, shares this sentiment.
There’s David Gardiner, an alumnus of UU, originating from east Belfast, now based in Galway and serving as Krino’s editor. We may have seemed like outsiders, but he never really was. With an intellect as keen as his, we knew he could navigate any environment with ease. I recall many occasions where I’d stay back after class to discuss various articles from Krino, which I discovered at the old Kenny’s on High Street. Our conversations would typically revolve around the content of the articles and the reasoning behind the introductory writing.
I can vividly recall his habit of placing his hand under his chin and observing me as though I had just teleported in from an alien planet or leapt out from the Salmon Weir. But he’d always patiently walk me through everything.
In assisting my progression to an editorial role, Gerald Dawe played a significant part. Yet, much like every other editor, my ultimate ambition lay in poetry. I had familiarised myself with his work, having read both Sheltering Places (1978), and The Lundys Letter (1985). However, my understanding of Gerald Dawe was incomplete. He had not been included in Faber’s sweeping involvement with Queen’s in the early 70’s. Rather, he belonged to a fresh, transformative generation of writers who wrote for personal purpose yet also heralded and provided, perhaps for the final time, an authentic critique of new authors. His distinctive qualities lay in his sharp wit and warm-hearted nature. His pattern of speech and thinking differed from the rest. Perhaps that’s why we got along well. Even our disagreements became doors to new understandings. His mind had the capacity to uncover interests unknown, and upon discovery, were recognised as perhaps lifelong requirements. The last occasion I was supposed to spend with Gerry didn’t quite fall into plan. I took the Dart with intentions of visiting him and reading his poem East Pier at the O’Shaughnessy Award ceremony on his behalf; I hadn’t strolled the East Pier recently. Therefore, I arrived an hour earlier on a delightful and sunny autumn afternoon; the very kind he admired through the lyrics of his East Orangefield alum, Van Morrison. However, few minutes following my arrival, I received a text suggesting a reschedule. Such a reschedule event never materialised.
The current director of the Center for Irish Studies at University St Thomas is Dr David Gardiner. He also edits the New Hibernia Review and administers the O’Shaughnessy Poetry Award. His most recent publication, a poetry collection titled Skenographia, was published by Salmon.
– Conor Graham.
I received the news of the passing of my extraordinarily esteemed author and valued friend, Gerry Dawe, with immense sorrow. I made Gerry’s acquaintance via his long-standing representative, Jonathan Williams, and embarked on the journey of publishing his initial memoir from the Northern Chronicles, ‘In Another World: Van Morrison and Belfast’, in 2017. The instant I read Gerry’s words and became acquainted with him, I fell head over heels for both. His writing style was beautifully delicate, directly engaging me through its lyrical representation of the Belfast my parents knew and the intense mixture of cultural and political elements that marked the city in the later part of the 1960s. Our collaboration thrived with Gerry reaching a prolific phase – or as he liked to put it, “in the groove”. We managed to publish an additional five books over the subsequent five years – each one has been a delight to bring to life. As I pen this, I note two yet-to-be-published manuscripts on my work station. Our encounters were frequent, we bonded like lifelong comrades, and Gerry was genuinely cherished by our entire workforce who were invariably captivated by his unique charm and courteous disposition. His loss will profoundly impact us all.
I am Conor Graham, the publisher at Merrion Press.
Michael Longley.
During his schoolboy years, Gerry penned a letter to me requesting guidance on literature and sharing some of his poetry. His natural flair was immediately apparent, and in my response, I suggested he explore the works of Heaney, Mahon, and Simmons. I’ve always cherished our initial exchange of letters, which became a fond memory over time. Our bond grew stronger in Galway, Belfast, and Dublin. Gerry’s life and work successfully united disparate parts of Ireland. He shed light on my hometown, Belfast, and his northern dialect even found a home in Dublin. His inherent kindness and charm fostered harmony. His multifaceted and far-reaching legacy includes his role as a remarkable anthology curator (especially his work Earth Voices Whispering: Irish Poetry of War), his advocacy for northern icons like Stewart Parker, Van Morrison, Padraic Fiacc; his contribution to vitally important cultural histories; his editorship of the crucial periodical, Krino; and his poetry collections, extending from Sheltering Places (1978) to Another Time (2023). Surely his poetry stands out, acting as the voice of solace, gentleness, and enigma, providing a sense of safeguard. I dearly admired Gerry Dawe and always found comfort and repletion in his profound companionship.
Michael Longley’s Ash Keys: New Collected Poems will be available from July 25th.
Sinéad Mac Aodha
Gerry Dawe was an understated, kindly, and relentless person within the domain of Irish literature. Equipped with a robust sense of justice and a profound affinity for and comprehension of others, he quietly ensured countless Irish authors and poets had ample opportunity to prosper.
Besides his own noteworthy poetry and significant academic accomplishments, he had a pronounced civic-mindedness and generously devoted his time to numerous meaningful literary endeavours.
Between the years of 1986 and 1996, he committed countless hours to the editorship of Krino: A Literary Magazine from Ireland, which he envisaged as an international stage for Irish literature. I recall our meeting during my tenure at the Arts Council and was immediately impressed by his exceptional dedication and fervour towards each issue of Krino.
A few years back, he became a member of our board at Literature Ireland. From the get-go, his commitment towards globally promoting Irish literature was evident, as was his understanding of international publishing and literary translation. His own poetic works have been extensively translated, whereas he co-translated works by the Sicilian poet Salvatore Quasimodo into English along with Marco Sonzogni.
Gerry was habitually the early bird at Literature Ireland meetings, ensuring to converse with the team and gauge the organisation’s overall mood. His attendance was consistent as he made it a point to actively participate, despite battling illness in its initial phase, a point at which others might have opted for retirement. He showed remarkable support for the Literature Ireland staff during the pandemic, formally acknowledging their efforts and regularly enquiring after their health.
With a swift and playful sense of humour, Gerry had a knack for lightening the mood in even the most taxing circumstances. Alongside fellow board members, he navigated Literature Ireland through a significantly hard financial spell.
Guru-like, Gerry would attend our translation gatherings in a low-key manner, quietly settling into a seat and expressing his appreciation with a note afterwards – a model gentleman.
Recently, an anthology of his translated work, Versions, Selected Poems by Gerald Dawe in Translation, had been released at a jointly hosted event by Literature Ireland and the Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation. The editor was his past student, Dr Florence Impens. The collection includes translations of his works in various languages – French, Japanese, Italian, German, and Argentinian Spanish. The variety of languages and poems highlight his significant international influence, his work, and the sheer number of lives he impacted.
My heartfelt condolences to his wife Dorothea and his kids, Iarla and Olwen. His absence will be felt intensely.
Sinéad Mac Aodha serves as the director of Literature Ireland while the author of this piece is Eoin McNamee.
My initial interactions with Gerry were brief yet distinctive at various festivals and readings, but you were able to immediately grasp his true character. He was amiable, commanding, and amusing. Gerry exhibited a calm stability and was a trustworthy figure. In 1997, alongside Brendan Kennelly, he established the Trinity Oscar Wilde Centre, a pioneer of its kind in Ireland. The centre’s writing curriculum was crafted with keen acumen, and its core principles still hold today. We are granted the honour of experiencing his cultural contribution daily and appreciate him for it. As stated by Eoin McNamee, the present Director of Trinity College Dublin’s Oscar Wilde Centre.
Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin
Gerry’s absence will be deeply felt. By calling, he was fundamentally a poet, although he fulfilled other roles. He was automatically drawn to the quiet tranquillity featured in his poems, while his unique viewpoint allowed him to appreciate serenity, even in unexpected locations. The kindness and serenity that his poetry exuded and its unique equilibrium free from unneeded details were also present in his personal life marked by genuine decency and reliability.
In his role at Trinity, he performed admirably; demonstrating generosity and firmness as a critic, and his distinctively creative intellect consistently inspired new ideas throughout his extensive career. This ranged from “Krino”, the magazine he established, his exuberance for music and theatre originating from Belfast, to exploring Irish war poetry. It provides comfort to know he will be fondly remembered by students, his poetry and academic works readers, and his comrades.
Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin assumes the role of emeritus professor at the School of English, Trinity College Dublin.
John O’Donnell
Aside from poetry, Gerry Dawe and I shared a love for Irish rugby. The week preceding each significant match instigated an abundance of texts between us debating our predictions. The post-match analysis was equally vigorous, discussing player performance and strategies.
Gerry, a devoted Belfast local, was consistently the first to commend the Ulster players for their input to the Irish team (regardless of their actual performance).
I sent him an Ulster jersey for his 60th birthday, to which he replied with a picture that brilliantly encapsulated his allegiances, enthusiasm and cheerful spirit. Occasionally, he’d attend the Ulster vs Leinster games, rooting for the Red Hand in high spirits, to the delight of my children and fellow spectators. I find it hard to digest that he’s no longer with us. The Pearl of Irish poetry and rugby has vanished.
Penned by John O’Donnell, an author who has greatly contributed to poetry and fiction.
I crossed paths with Gerry Dawe for the first time in Galway, back in the mid-seventies. As an undergrad, I was cohabiting with two others in an upstairs flat, while Gerry and Dor lived downstairs. Aware of his post-graduate studies in UCG, I found out he was a poet from Belfast, courtesy of his distinctive accent, his thick, dark locks and a few of his poems which I’d discovered in the Blackstaff Anthology that a friend had lent me.
While I was in London, Gerry’s’s debut book ‘Sheltering Places’ was published in 1978. That same year, he launched a monthly segment titled ‘Writing in the West’ for the Connacht Tribune. This platform provided an opportunity for budding writers, and it ran until the early 90s. After my return to Galway in 1986, I reconnected with both Dor and Gerry. Once Gerry knew I was penning what would later be my sophomore collection, he showed great interest and proposed some practical guidance, even getting a selection from the batch published. We sustained our friendship over the years, occasionally meeting at Cúirt or Dublin readings, and a handful of times in Dun Laoghaire. In 2016, during my tenure at Trinity, I had access to Gerry’s office and his extensive library. The surprise discovery prompted a call to him, and he told me to ‘read at will’, which I did, benefitting from that unforeseen bounty. accessing a writer’s collection opens a new conversation, and it helped me understand the man on a deeper level.
I last encountered Gerry at the inauguration of ‘Revenant’ at Kenny’s back in 2022. This collection that featured both poems and illustrations by John Behan also was a special collaboration of Gerry’s. Not only was he in a lively spirit, but his poetry also gave us a glimpse into the intimate facets of his identity. He remained productive till his last days, producing an extensive amount of prose and poetry particularly in the preceding half-decade. My heartfelt condolences to Dorothea, Olwen, and Iarla.
Gerry held a fondness for the West and felt comfortable here, like many Northerners. I will always remember our encounters here, especially our casual conversations as we walked over the Claddagh bridge along with Dor. His sudden smiles, brimming with mischief and joy, are unforgettable. Mary O’Malley, who is also a poet, recently released her latest collection ‘The Shark Nursery’.
Nadine O’Regan
It was my privilege to be a learner under Gerry Dawe as part of Trinity’s Creative Writing M.Phil. The course had been initiated just a short while before in 1998 by both Gerry and Brendan Kennelly, who served as co-directors. This pioneering curriculum was the first in Ireland and as a raw student recently out of Cork, I felt lucky to share the room. Throughout the year, Gerry was supportive, warm, and patiently available to us students. He charmed us with his subtle humour, great dedication to arts, and a considerable reading list, which I still treasure. The last occasion we conversed was when I reached out to him this December for his views for an article on deceased playwright Thomas Kilroy – I was touched by his kindness, insight, and helpfulness as always. I feel truly blessed to have been acquainted with him.
Keith Payne
Continue to shine bright, Gerry Dawe, continue to shine.
Gerry Dawe is no longer with us. His distinct influence allowed us to lift the narratives we read from the pages of the books we clutched and bring them to life on the streets we walked, as we explored the works of O’Casey or Beckett. He evoked vivid images like the constant tick of Iain Crichton Smith’s mother’s kitchen clock, the heartbreaking silence of Behan, or Bishop’s journey to Brazil. Gerry once conveyed that there was no need for formal degrees; all the learning one needs can be found on life’s journey. He reminisced about the cramming into a Morris Minor to attend the midnight show in Belfast, an activity later deprived of for various reasons; He was the first Huguenot I knew; he had an early insight into the trend of moving eastward to the UK, a unique migration story, regarding the forgotten generation of the 50s. But through all of these, his smile never diminished. What lingers is the quiet yet profound conversations with Gerry, his everlasting upbeat outlook from the poems he recited, the faint beats always present behind the pulpits… remembering the words of a close friend of his…
Keith Payne is an accomplished poet, translator, and editor. His upcoming publication is Whales and Whales, translated from the Galician poetry of Luisa Castro, to be published by Skein Press. Keith Payne had been a student of Gerry’s.
Gerard Smyth
Primarily, Gerry Dawe was cherished as a dear friend, apart from being recognised as a unique and crucial figure within the sphere of Irish poetry. We formed our friendship during his tenure as a university professor in Galway during the 1980s, and his departure deeply wounds me, putting an end to our lengthy discourse around subjects such as poetry, music and other elements pertaining to our lives and passions. Gerry’s earliest pieces, especially those compiled in his initial anthology, ‘Sheltering Places’, were characterised by their clarity, meticulousness and investigative intellect reflecting a strong sense of moral responsibility. He never shied away from acknowledging his origins in Belfast, his Northern heritage, and the expectations this held for him as both a poet and an observer. This resulted in his deeply insightful poems addressing the “Northern Troubles”. Without ever forgetting his personal history or geographical roots, his poetry, inspired by the Western Ireland, beautifully depict the area’s landscape and its inhabitants. Across pages and volumes – in both his poetry and prose – he established a rare and serene continuity. Opting for everyday language over extravagant oratory, he used his poetry to delve into the common and the mundane. Yet, beneath each poem was a thoughtful mind, sharply attuned to the broader universe – a world which now mourns his absence but remains enriched by the contributions he made through his literary pursuits.