A previously-unpublished poem by Heaney called The Island – the name of Cooke’s one-time home in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny – is among the material acquired earlier this year from the estate of the late painter. The material includes 150 paintings and drawings done by Cooke to illustrate his poet friends’ work. The poets included Heaney, Hughes, and the Irish poet John Montague. The letter was sent along with the copy of The Island, which Heaney referred to as a type of “grace before freedom”. A decision on the publication of the previously-unpublished poem will be taken by the Heaney estate, Wormald said.

Source: The Irish Times November 15, 2020 18:33 UTC