A Mayo musician will be playing at the funeral of poet Paul Durcan in Dublin tomorrow.
Eamonn Walsh says that Paul Durcan kindly performed a poetry reading session for him in Ballina back in the year 2000 when the Moy Valley branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann hosted a Cross Border Music, Sports and Arts Peace festival in the town.
Mr. Durcan, who lived in Ringsend, Dublin, passed away on Saturday at the age of 80.
He was born in Dublin in 1944, and spent much time in his parents’ home county of Mayo, living formerly in Dugort, Achill.
Paul Durcan began his written work 60 years ago with his first book ‘Endsville’, which was followed by more than 20 others.
President Michael D. Higgins was among those to pay tribute, saying that he was “one of Ireland’s most important poets, and a close friend for over 50 years”.
Paul Durcan’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday in St. Patrick’s Church Ringsend, followed by Funeral Prayers in St. Mary’s Church, Westport on Friday at 11:00am.
He will be laid to rest afterwards in Aughavale Cemetery.