The genius and historical significance of one of Ireland's foremost 18th Century writers was recognised in a formal ceremony at the Middle Temple in the heart of London's famous legal district yesterday.
Oliver Goldsmith - best known for the poem The Deserted Village - was buried there after his death in 1774.
And the poet, novelist and playwright's final resting place lay in seclusion, largely unnoticed and unrecognised, until members of the Goldsmith Summer School visited the site last year and resolved to have the gravestone refurbished and the site appropriately marked. The new commemorative plaque over Goldsmith's restored grave was officially unveiled at a ceremony at Middle Temple by the Irish Ambassador, Mr Daithí Ó Ceallaigh ahead of a reception for the visiting members of the summer school and guest dignitaries at the Irish Embassy in London last night.
Spokesman Mr Arthur Conlon said: "Oliver Goldsmith has been universally recognised as a literary master and as a genuine citizen of the world, and we felt it appropriate that his genius and historical significance be recognised with a plaque at his gravestone in the Temple."
Mr Conlon added that similar members of Goldsmith's literary group - including Dr Samuel Johnson, David Garrick and Sir Joshua Reynolds - have had their importance recognised at various sites "and we are delighted that his grave in London is finally getting the recognition it deserves".
Oliver Goldsmith was born in Pallas, near Ballymahon, Co Longford, in 1728.
Following his arrival in London in 1760 he became a member of the select literary club headed by Dr Johnson whose members also included Garrick, Reynolds and James Boswell.
His other works included She Stoops to Conquer and The Vicar of Wakefield and his literary heritage is still very much alive.
The Oliver Goldsmith Summer School Committee was founded in 1985 and hosts an annual summer school in the Longford/Westmeath area dedicated to promoting and preserving his reputation as one of Ireland's great writers.
In the past 20 years it has established itself as one of the most respected schools of its type.
Over those years all aspects of Goldsmith's life, society and writings have been explored in gatherings featuring a wide variety of renowned critics and academics.
While the school has contributed to the renaissance of interest in Goldsmith, Mr Conlon says it also has wider appeal.
"It has encouraged and adopted debate on a wide range of issues, using Goldsmith's literature as a starting point."