Northern Ireland is home to many literary giants, but perhaps none more legendary than the Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney. This spring, step into the Seamus Heaney experience and explore his beloved home place, Bellaghy, on a Say Hello To More adventure in Northern Ireland.

Seamus Heaney HomePlace is an arts and literary centre dedicated to the life and work of the late poet. The centre spans two floors and visitors can enjoy recordings, photographs and personal stories, as well as listen to Heaney read his own words. A recreation of his Dublin study will transport you back to 1995, when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Rachel Quigg, Tourism NI Destination PR Officer said: “Seamus Heaney Homeplace in the heart of Mid-Ulster is a wonderful place to see the poet’s incredible literature come to life and is perfect for all ages with a ‘Create & Learn’ area for children. Belfast and Derry are just a short drive away so you can combine your HomePlace visit with a stay in the city and continue your cultural journey”.

Through his poetry, discover some of the faces and places that inspired this world famous Northern Ireland figure. Previously unseen artefacts, transcripts and books kindly donated by the Heaney family are on display, ensuring a truly unique and illuminating experience for all.

The centre also offers a programme of events, which includes a series of exhibitions, workshops, tours and performances. The Helicon is their intimate 190-seater performance space, designed with a nod to the Greek theatre which Seamus Heaney so loved, and where you can enjoy theatre, music, song, poetry, readings and talks inspired by his life and literature on the traverse stage.

The Hedge School of Glanmore Exhibition

A unique exhibition running until 31 March will bring together the two centres of Seamus Heaney’s imaginative writing – Bellaghy in Derry~Londonderry and Glanmore in Co. Wicklow.

Entitled ‘The Hedge School of Glanmore’, the exhibition will feature manuscripts and typescripts of poems written in the Co. Wicklow cottage which Heaney and his family first moved to in 1972.  A specially curated collection of rare Heaney exhibits will reveal his writing process from first draft to final printing and will include first editions and signed limited editions as well as broadside poems, contemporary reviews and artefacts from the Seamus Heaney Literary Papers in the National Library of Ireland.

Stay in Heaney Country

For an immersive Seamus Heaney experience, plan a break at the four-star Laurel Villa Guest House in Magherafelt, just a short drive away from HomePlace. This homely, family-run property has created its own unique Seamus Heaney Exhibition showcasing rare collections of his first editions and broadsides. For book and poetry lovers, this is more than just a guest house.

Tours of Heaney Country

Learn and explore more of Heaney’s native homeland in Derry~Londonderry with a bespoke five-star Tour of Heaney Country led by Blue Badge tour guide, Eugene Kielt. Tailored for individuals or groups, Eugene will personally escort you to key points where you will discover the inspirational people and places behind some of Heaney’s most famous works. Visit his birthplace at Mossbawn, the villages of Castledawson and Toome, and the renowned Turf Man sculpture – a life size representation of Digging. 

Northern Ireland has a world-renowned reputation in poetry and prose. From the works of Seamus Heaney, C. S. Lewis and Samuel Beckett – for such a small country, our influence is mighty– find out more including special spring accommodation offers at www.discovernorthernireland.com .