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Well-known, Cork-based poet Matthew Sweeney has died aged 66.<\/p>\nWell-known, Cork-based poet Matthew Sweeney has died aged 66.<\/p>\n
Sweeney, originally from Donegal, passed away this morning. The poet spoke about his battle with motor neuron disease earlier this year.<\/p>\n
He is survived by his children and his partner Mary Noonan.<\/p>\n
Back in April, Sweeney launched his latest collection of poetry at the Cork World Book Fest.<\/p>\n
‘My Life As A Painter’ was published by Bloodaxe Books just four months ago.<\/p>\n
In an recent interview in Ireland’s Irish Examiner newspaper, the poet said he would not allow his diagnosis to ‘stunt his creativity.’<\/p>\n
“Like most people, I prefer not to dwell on my inevitable demise. Where the poems take me is another matter,” he said.<\/p>\n
Sweeney said his poetry gave him the most joy in life.<\/p>\n
“Poetry has been central to my life, and despite the lack of money it brings, I would do it all over again. How many people really value my poems? I wouldn\u2019t say they\u2019d fill a very small theatre, but there are some,” he said.<\/p>\n
Sweeney also hoped his work would inspire other young writers.<\/p>\n
“Certainly one thing that\u2019s pleased me in recent years was a suggestion in a review of my last book that I may be responsible for some younger poets venturing into the weird, more surreal zone. That would be something.”<\/p>\n
His friend Pat Cotter, poet and artistic director of Munster Literature Centre and others have been tweeting about his passing.<\/p>\n
Mr Sweeney’s sister died of motor neurone disease in 2009.<\/p>\n