Seamus Heaney on how writers help give a nation its sense of self. A Sense of Ireland was a major festival of Irish culture held in London in 1980. Amongst those appearing in its inaugural year was the poet Seamus Heaney. He recites his translation of the traditional poem 'Sweeney Praises The Trees'. Interviewed by Gloria Hunniford he considers the role of the writer in shaping national identity and ponders how the English public will respond to this exhibition of Irish culture.

• British Film Institute
• Britain on Film
• UTV Ireland
• RTÉ Archives