Seamus Heaney: Inspired by Oysters

Seamus Heaney is a household name in Ireland and among poetry enthusiasts.  He is arguably one of the greatest poets of our time. Born in an Irish farmhouse in 1939, he has won every major poetry award and most major literary awards, even winning the Noble Prize for literature in 1995.  He was a beloved lecturer at Harvard, and occasionally returns to campus as a rock star.  He found his inspiration everywhere and in everything, including our favorite oyster.

Heaney's "Oysters" has been loved and criticized ever since it was published in 1979.  I have to think that Heaney personally loves the poem because it's the first one in his collection of poetry titled "Field Work." I can't speak to the merits of the poetry itself, but I can say that it speaks to the heart of oyster lovers.  As I read the poem, I could feel and taste and see and hear the oysters.  He also manages to capture the enigma of oysters - nodding to their lowly place in the animal kingdom and at the same time, elevated, sometimes idolized, in the human world.  Only oysters do we scoop up from the mud and then haughtily speak about their hints of seaweed, lemon and melon.

I was going to post the entire poem here, but I think I'd be violating some copyright laws.  So, in addition to showing you a video of Heaney himself reading his poem "Oysters," I'm treading water in the gray zone and linking to the poem on another website.  Click here for "Oysters" by Seamus Heaney.

---

Morans Oyster Cottage

Morans Oyster Cottage at The Weir.  Est. 1797.  Galway, Ireland.
Picture courtesy of Moran's Cottage

Clarenbridge Oysters.  European Flats.
Inner Galway Bay, Ireland.

"Oysters" is said to have been inspired by a night out at Morans Oyster Cottage at The Weir in Galway, Ireland. The 266-year-old, traditional thatched roof restaurant is run by the 7th generation of the Moran family. I contacted the Moran family to find out if it was true. Sheila Moran says that Heaney "describes driving through the Burren in Co. Clare to get to Morans. He would have visited on many occasions and in this poem he is thinking about visiting again. We have this poem hanging up in the restaurant. It is hand written by Seamus Heaney and he has signed it."

The world famous Morans at The Weir serves Clarinbridge oysters, which are native European Flats (Belons). They are available September to April. In the summertime, they serve Gigas, locally grown Pacific oysters. Gigas were introduced to Ireland just a few decades ago, but, because they are available year round, they have become the main species in Ireland. The Clarinbridge and Giga oysters are served simply at Morans - a fresh squeeze of lemon and homemade brown bread. Sounds like a place I'd like to hang out with my friends.

As Heaney said in "Oysters": 

And there we were, toasting friendship,
Laying down a perfect memory

That's why, Morans Oyster Cottage is on my oyster bucket list.  Anywhere that can inspire a Nobel writer to capture the oyster is a place I want to be.  Cheers ... to oysters and friendship!

---

Moran's Oyster Cottage

The Weir, Kilcolgan Co.

Galway, Ireland
www.moransoystercottage.com
info@moranstheweir.com