It was my last year of college before I realised you could CHOOSE your tutors.
During our first tutorial, packed into his crowded little office, he answered the phone and started gabbling in Irish - if we hadn't been intimidated before...
I was writing on something quite new, and there was no real criticism yet. He said I'd have to write it myself, and when I expressed doubts, he said 'Oh, I know, it's terrifying!'
And then he went on sabbatical, having marked only that essay, using generous comments like 'brilliant', 'astute' and 'incisive'.
Sob!
But he was my external supervisor for my messy, unedited thesis, and kindly argued my mark up for that. Thank you, Declan Kiberd!
He told us the story about Kavanagh and the pigs' liver, he's a master of the dirty joke. He incited us to walk on the grass in Trinity, despite the fearsome forbidding of Terence Brown!
He's a funny, lovely, clever man, full of interest and interestingness. I have such an academic crush, I'm so glad I got to be in his tutorial, and see his lectures, and meet him etc.
I just came across an interview with him, mentioning an interest in children's fiction I wasn't aware of. I don't know if anyone's interested, but I thought I'd wack up a link.
I love the photo I found - doesn't he look like you've seen him in Asterix?
7 comments:
Never had the pleasure of meeting him but have read Inventing Ireland. I was supposed to hear him speak at a postcolonial studies conference in May but I can't attend. He is giving a lecture on Said. I'd say it would be very good. Personally I am a Gerardine Meaney fan - I loved her work Sex and Nation.
That anecdote ain't offal, it's hilarious!! I love characters.
Also...
I tagged you :)
Stop tagging me! That's twice ina row!
I took a course with Declan recently and must say that your assessment is spot on. I wrote the best paper ever for his class and have become interested in Irish Literature as a result. The only thing is...I thought I was a favored student. Now I see that he has that rare ability to make every student feel like a million bucks. He is a great scholar, teacher, and mentor. Thank you for writing about him.
That's a lovely comment! Thank you for reading, and so glad you had that good experience :)
Oh, plus, of course you were a favoured student. Who says I was run of the mill either? ;)
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