MacIntyre's "roaring soul journey" continues

The playwright and poet Tom MacIntyre passed away last night, aged 87.

The Bailieborough native was the recipient of numerous awards which testified to his talent as a writer, including in 1999 the Stewart Parker prize for 'Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire' and in 2002 the Irish Times/ESB Irish Theatre Best New Play Award for 'The Gallant John Joe'. He was also a member of Aosdána.

A noted sportsman in his youth, Tom also played goals for Cavan. Although his tenure coincided with a lull in Cavan's fortunes, he most notably saved two penalties in one Ulster Championship game against Monaghan in 1958. 

It will be for his writing that he will be best remembered. In an interview with The Anglo-Celt in 2013 Tom described the art of writing as a 'soul journey'. 

"It's a way of breathing, it's a way of being, it's a way of praying. It's a journey, an interior journey of no trivial proportions. It's probably true to say...for me it's a soul journey."

He insisted this was a minority view amongst current writers, but shared by his heroes.

"Kavanagh - roaring soul journey. Yeats - roaring soul journey. Go up and down the standing army of 10,000 Irish poets at the moment and you'll search a while before you get the soul journey merchants! Because we live in a secular world...

"If it isn't the soul journey I'm gone out of there. I'm not interested. It has to have that stake - your life has to be at stake and that's not kidding. That's scary as all hell at the start, but when it becomes your way of breathing, then it's your health and it's your connection with the other side."

As one who believed in the afterlife and claimed in the same interview to have been embraced by a ghost, we can only hope that Tom's soul journey continues. In his impressive body of work, his spirit will continue to enthrall readers for generations to come.

Fellow Cavan writer and friend, Michael Harding was amongst those to pay tribute.

Tom MacIntyre taught English and History Clongowes, where John Bruton was amongst his students. The former Taoiseach said of Tom:

"He opened my mind to a new view of the world. He was unconventional, irreverent and also a very kind person, whose personality inspired many of his students to explore the world of poetry."

Local politicians too have paid tribute:

Bailieborough based TD, Niamh Smyth said: “It was a privilege to have known Tom and I would like to offer my sincere condolences to his wife Celine and his five children, Deirdre, Darragh, Donal, Desmond and Tadhg.

“Tom was a wonderful poet and gifted writer who will be sorely missed by everyone in the local area. His life’s work was dedicated to the arts and he will be fondly remembered through his writing,” concluded Deputy Smyth.

These sentiments were echoed by fellow Bailieborough native, Senator Joe O’Reilly: “Tom was an accomplished and celebrated playwright, poet and writer who was a source of great pride for the people of his native Bailieborough.

“His work was published in both English and Irish, with many of his plays premiering on the national stage in the Abbey Theatre.

“His plays, including The Great Hunger, as well as his poetry and short stories were important, insightful works. Tom’s contribution to the arts was outstanding and his work will continue to inspire people for generations to come.

“I would like to offer my sincere condolences to his wife Celine, his children and his extended family and friends at this difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,” Senator O’Reilly concluded.