Simple headstone marks grave of Seamus Heaney in Bellaghy

A simple headstone bearing a quotation from his 1995 Nobel prize acceptance speech has been placed over the grave of Seamus Heaney at Bellaghy.

By Stanley Campbell

Published 14th Aug 2015, 15:00 BST

PACEMAKER BELFAST 14/08/2015
A new headstone on Seamus Heaney's grave in St Mary's Church graveyard in Bellaghy.
Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press — PACEMAKER BELFAST 14/08/2015 A new headstone on Seamus Heaney's grave in St Mary's Church graveyard in Bellaghy. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

The inscription ‘Walk on air against your better judgement’ is taken from the poem ‘The Gravel Walks’ which is included in his collection The Spirit Level.

Heaney died on August 30 2013 and the gravestone was placed by the family a few weeks before the second anniversary of his death.

He was laid to rest in St Mary’s Parish churchyard and his grave has attracted hundreds of visitors - many travelling from overseas to pay their respects.

The poet was buried in a quiet corner of the graveyard beneath a sycamore tree.

Meantime, work is continuing on a £4m centre to commemorate the works of the poet in Bellaghy’s former police station.

Seamus Heaney