The Irish Buzz
Posted by Jim on April 29, 2026
The Irish Buzz
3h ·
A powerful stand for identity from Seamus Heaney
The Nobel Prize winning poet made his position unmistakably clear in 1983, responding to being labeled a British writer. Through his poem Open Letter, Heaney asserted his Irish identity with words that still resonate today:
“Be advised my passport’s green. No glass of ours was ever raised to toast the Queen.”
More than a line of poetry, it was a cultural statement. A reminder of Ireland’s distinct voice, history, and pride on the world stage.
Over 40 years later, those words continue to echo across generations