The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) today published Writer & Righter by Seamus Heaney. Writer & Righter is the published version of the IHRC’s Fourth Annual Human Rights Lecture which was delivered by Seamus Heaney on the eve of International Human Rights Day, 9 December 2009.
Writer & Righter is being launched by Mary Robinson, President of Realizing Rights, and former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at 5.30pm, Tuesday, 1 June 2010 at the Mansion House, Dublin 2.
Dr Maurice Manning, President of the IHRC said, "We are delighted today to publish Writer & Righter by Seamus Heaney and honoured that Mary Robinson has agreed to launch what we believe to be a unique contribution to the canon of literature on human rights. Writer & Righter considers the relevance of poetry in times of societal upheaval and unrest. It poses the question: is it ethical to create poetry when a country or people are in turmoil? Is it ‘right on’ to ‘write on’? Those of us who work every day for human rights know the inspiration which writers such as Seamus Heaney can give us. Their eloquent reflection on human rights issues allows us to reflect in ways which would otherwise not be possible." He continued "Seamus Heaney is one of the foremost voices on human rights in Ireland. We hope that in publishing his lecture we can bring his inspirational words to a wider audience."
The launch is being hosted by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Emer Costello who said "I am honoured to welcome two distinguished citizens, Seamus Heaney and Mary Robinson, to the Mansion House. I would also like to pay tribute to the Irish Human Rights Commission for publishing Writer & Righter by Seamus Heaney and sharing its valuable insights on human rights with the wider public."
Mr Éamonn Mac Aodha, Chief Executive of the IHRC said "this launch today shows the success of the IHRC’s annual lecture series in seeking to raise the profile of human rights issues. We have been honoured to have had highly distinguished speakers provide our annual human rights lectures which aim to promote awareness of human rights from a range of perspectives."
ENDS/
For further information, please contact
Fidelma Joyce, IHRC
Tel: 087 783 4939