A stirring, powerful and emotional celebration of the poet Seamus Heaney lit up the National Concert Hall last night, as part of the One City, One Book festival. This was an evening of warm and generous tribute, in keeping with the spirit of the man.

Paul Simon was the biggest star on the bill, having flown into Dublin especially for the event, and he duly delivered a stirring combination of Heaney’s work, made sublime with accompaniment from Martin Hayes. This was an evening as much about the music as the words, though none shone brighter than Heaney himself.

Liam O'Flynn opened proceedings with a performance of Port na bP úcaí ; the piper followed by the poet, as a recording of Heaney's voice wove The Given Note through the air. Michael Longley read Bogland and The Harvest Bow; Niall Ó hAnnagáin, the Poetry Aloud 2013 champion, did Mid-Term Break full, emotive justice.

Brady’s recollections 

The glittering roll call of the Irish arts world continued, all queuing up to pay tribute to the man who put them in the ha'penny place. Peter Fallon read from At the Wellhead and Paul Muldoon picked Miracle and Keeping Going . Another poet, this one turned President, read From the Republic of Conscience , an apt choice from Michael D Higgins.

Paul Brady recalled a house on Percy Place that Heaney would often show up at, with the likes of Andy Irvine and Lunny in tow, before launching into Arthur McBride . Zoe Conway and Donal Lunny delivered a stirring Tribute to Peadar O'Donnell .

Lisa Hannigan, Zoe Conway and John McIntyre combined on Anahorish, and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra gave the occasion an epic quality.

Out of the marvellous it came, with the last word going to Heaney himself.