16 June 2004
Seamus Heaney book launch
Photo opportunity: 6.30pm, Friday 18 June, Cooper Gallery, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and
Design, University of Dundee
A limited edition book celebrating a lecture given by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney at the University of
Dundee will be launched later this week. The official launch encompassing readings and an exhibition of
original artwork for the book will take place on Friday 18 June at 6.30pm in the Cooper Gallery, Duncan
of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee.
The book features specially commissioned illustrative images by Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and
Design's Brigid Collins as well as graphic design by David Herbert. The publication of the book is
supported by the City of Discovery Campaign and all profits will be donated to the fundraising drive to
build a centre of excellence for research in diabetes and tropical diseases at the University's School of
Life Sciences.
Heaney gave the lecture as part of the University of Dundee's Greatest Minds Lecture series in July
2003. It was one of the highlights of the 2003 Graduation festivities, as University Principal Sir Alan
Langlands recalls, "The Seamus Heaney Greatest Minds Lecture 2003 was a memorable experience. It has
seeped into the fabric of the University as one of those very special occasions. We are delighted that
Seamus has allowed us to publish his remarkable speech - and that he has very kindly agreed that all
profits from the sale of the book will go towards the Centre for Inter-Disciplinary Research"
Room to Rhyme is co-sponsored by the City of Discovery Campaign. Lord Provost John Letford, chairman of
the campaign, said, "Seamus Heaney is one of the world's leading poets and we were honoured that he chose
to deliver his only lecture of 2003 in Dundee. Poetry and literature are at the heart of the City of
Discovery’s cultural renaissance and we are delighted to be supporting the publication of a fascinating
new book which recounts a memorable occasion. Dundee is increasingly enjoying a reputation for its
vibrant literary scene and this new book will build on the success of the Dundee Book Prize which this
year attracted more than 200 entries."
The University is raising funds to complete the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research (CIR) that will
provide a state-of-the-art facility for research teams tackling diabetes and global parasitic diseases,
such as malaria and sleeping sickness. When completed, early in 2005, the entire research complex will be
larger than the National Institute for Medical Research in London.
Copies of the book are available to purchase from the University of Dundee. For further details please
contact the Events Department on 01382 344660 or email, events@dundee.ac.uk.
Notes to Editors
Seamus Heaney served for five years on The Arts Council in the Republic of Ireland (1973-1978) and over
the years has acted as judge and lecturer for countless poetry competitions and literary conferences,
establishing a special relationship with the annual W.B. Yeats International Summer School in Sligo. He
is a member of Aosdana, the Irish academy of artists and writers, and a foreign member of the American
Academy of Arts and Letters. In 1996, subsequent to winning his Nobel Prize in literature in 1995, he was
made a Commandeur de L'Ordre des Arts et Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture.
The CIR Campaign aims to raise the final £4m to complete the building of a centre for research dedicated
to exploring more effective drug treatments for the world's two fastest growing epidemics, diabetes and
tropical diseases. The campaign is led by Professor Sir Philip Cohen and Hollywood actor, Brian Cox. For
further information on the campaign, visit www.dundee.ac.uk/externalrelations
or contact Joan Concannon, Director of External Relations, Tel: 01382 345565/ j.concannon@dundee.ac.uk.
The City of Discovery Campaign - The City of Discovery Campaign is the promotional arm of the Dundee
Partnership and is also supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Its aim is to lead the way
in positively transforming the image of Dundee locally, nationally and internationally. And to ensure
that a more accurate perception of the city as a vibrant, attractive and flourishing location is held by
residents, visitors, the business community and potential investors. For more information visit
www.cityofdiscovery.com
For further information please contact the Press Office on 01382 344021
By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk | 
