Seamus Heaney Homeplace

Monday: 10:00 - 17:00
Tuesday: 10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 17:00
Friday: 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 13:00 - 17:00

About Seamus Heaney Homeplace

Seamus Heaney HomePlace is a new arts and literary centre celebrating the life and work of one of Ireland's literary giants.

Seamus Heaney Homeplace Description

Seamus Heaney HomePlace is a new arts and literary centre in Bellaghy, County Derry, celebrating the life and literature of the late poet and Nobel Laureate.

The building features a permanent exhibition about the life and literature of Seamus Heaney, arranged over two floors and filled with personal stories and artefacts, dozens of family photographs, video recordings from friends, neighbours, world leaders, cultural figures, and the voice of the poet himself reading his own words. The exhibition is interactive using the latest touch screen, video and audio technology and includes a recreation of the poet’s Dublin study.

In addition to the exhibition, the centre boasts a 189-seat performing arts space - The Helicon - education and learning spaces, a café and shop.

Reviews

User

Are you a Graphic Designer?
Join us on the 7th March as we talk to graphic designer and writer Theo Inglis; Eleanor Crow, Senior Designer at Faber & Faber and Donna Payne, Creative Director at Faber & Faber about the early Seamus Heaney covers and the evolving nature of book cover design.
Book now> https://bit.ly/2SnsI0Q
... Faber & Faber Books
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Are you as excited about World Book Day as we are?
We have limited availability left for our special adaptation of Jane Talbot's acclaimed storytelling show, The Wonder Tales on 7th March.
There will be two shows:... 11am - last few spaces 1pm - limited availability Cost per child: £2
Visit our website for more information > https://bit.ly/2Rwc4IC or contact Roisin.Convery@midulstercouncil.org< br> Don't forget to dress up as your favourite character on the day!
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The sun was shining in our Sensory Garden as the students from Wallace High School, Bangor Grammer & St. Louis Grammar School joined us for our Key Stage 5 programme yesterday.
Find out more about our Education Programme here >https://bit.ly/2BgW0Vl

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Special announcement!
‘In New Light’: An occasion to mark what would have been Seamus Heaney’s 80th birthday. Saturday 13th April
... We are delighted to welcome US composer Mohammed Fairouz to Bellaghy on this very special occasion to present the UK & Ireland Premiere of Anything Can Happen performed by Codetta and featuring Milena Simovic on viola.
The evening will be introduced by Glenn Patterson, Director of Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry. Producer, arranger and musician Neil Martin will open the occasion with a musical performance, followed by intimate readings of Seamus Heaney’s most loved poems by Northern Ireland actors Bríd Brennan and Adrian Dunbar.
Tickets available now > https://bit.ly/2NvAqkN
Tourism Ireland Discover Northern Ireland Visit DerryVisit Belfast Arts Council of Northern Ireland
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Mark Simpson and his lovely wife Catherine visited HomePlace yesterday. We were delighted the pair enjoyed the exhibition and their experience at HomePlace.

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**Calling all community and voluntary groups, clubs, sports teams and individuals!** Mid Ulster District Council's Grant Aid programme 2019-2020 is open and available to apply for online. For more information on the grants available and how to apply click below.

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We were thrilled to welcome Professor Ed O'Shea to HomePlace today after his wonderful event last night at Queen's University Belfast - Seamus Heaney’s Idea of America. Professor O'Shea is pictured below with our Arts Programmer, Cathy Brown. Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry

User

Join us in The Helicon for an evening showcasing the best of musical talent performing in Northern Ireland today. Arborist released their debut album Home Burial in 2016 to critical acclaim. Featuring lush arrangements of strings and brass as well as the vocals of Kim Deal (Pixies), it was nominated for the NI Music Prize. Natives of Ballymena, Maghera, Bangor and Belfast, Arborist are returning with their follow-up album A Northern View which will be released in February 2019. Recorded in Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios, A Northern View is an album of pastoral themes and curious love songs and is a worthy successor to their lauded debut.
Joining Arborist will be three time NI music award nominee Malojian and Conor Mason, making this a magical evening not to be missed.

User

The fabulous female stars of Sweeney Todd visited HomePlace today. We were delighted Julie Mullins and Elaine Hearty took a break from the show which is playing at Lyric Theatre Belfast to experience our exhibition.
Northern Ireland Opera

User

We were delighted to welcome members of the local community to HomePlace last night for an information evening on the future plans for the area. Director of Business and Communities Adrian McCreesh opened the evening. Other speakers included Chair of Mid Ulster District Council Sean Mc Peake, Waterways Ireland, Bellaghy Historial Society and the wonderful Bellaghy Comhaltas group performed.

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With Theo Inglis, Eleanor Crow, Donna Payne and chaired by Dr Ruth Brolly
When you think of Seamus Heaney’s Death of a Naturalist, one of the things that immediately springs to mind is that iconic cover to the original edition, designed by Bertholde Wolpe.
A German-Jewish typographer recently returned from an Australian internment camp, Wolpe created the Albertus font and, due to financial constraints after the war, designed the Faber book covers by hand. His striking font... and the simplicity of his designs gave these jackets a distinctive quality that became strongly identified with Faber’s brand and has continued to inspire generations of designers.
Join graphic designer and writer Theo Inglis; Eleanor Crow, Senior Designer at Faber & Faber and Donna Payne, Creative Director at Faber & Faber, as they discuss Wolpe’s work, the early Heaney covers and the evolving nature of book cover design.
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The brilliant artist Deepa Mann-Kler visited our exhibition recently. Visitors attending HomePlace can listen to Deepa herself on the interactive screens discussing her connection with Seamus Heaney & how his words inspired her art.

User

Players from the Ulster Orchestra return to Bellaghy with a programme which mirrors a key theme of the full Orchestra for 2018/19, the pairing of Richard Strauss and Dmitri Shostakovich. We’ll hear Strauss’ virtuosic orchestral masterpiece Till Eulenspiegel in an astonishing version for just five players, and Shostakovich’s own reduction for quartet of two of his own pieces originally written for larger forces.
The programme is completed by Beethoven’s glorious Septet for strings, clarinet and horn.
This is a wonderful opportunity to hear the Orchestra’s principal players in the truly intimate space of The Helicon.

User

The students from St Patrick's Grammar Armagh, The Royal School, Armagh, Our Lady & St Patrick's Knock, Aquinas Grammar and StCatsYM kicked off our Key Stage 5 programme yesterday.
There are limited dates still available for Key Stage 5. Find out more here > https://bit.ly/2BgW0Vl Education Authority CCEA

User

What a beautiful talk this morning on BBC Radio 4 with Marie & Catherine Heaney discussing the strong women in Seamus Heaney's poetry including Saint Brigid. Catch up here if you missed it > https://bbc.in/2G2uLlk

User

Make sure and tune into Getaways tonight on RTE 1 at 8.30pm as there will be a great feature on Seamus Heaney HomePlace and the surrounding area! RTÉ One

User

Tune into the BBC Radio Ulster with Marie-Louise Muir tonight at 6.30pm to listen to Jane Coyle discuss The Suitcase.
The Suitcase performance will take place at HomePlace on Friday 8th February. Tickets are available here > https://bit.ly/2GecbYn

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Fire-breathing dragons and their poison-spitting relatives are thankfully rare in Ireland! In this talk Carolyne Larrington uncovers the history and development of the very idea of the dragon, from its earliest appearance in Beowulf, to the dragons of folklore, via Tolkien's Smaug, and Daenerys’s monstrous children in Game of Thrones.
This fascinating talk is suitable for anyone with an interest in fantasy, folklore and, of course, Game of Thrones. Along the way we’ll ask how... these fiery dragons differ from their serpentine cousins and what they signify for the poets and writers, including Seamus Heaney, who have given them life.
Carolyne Larrington is Professor of Medieval European Literature, University of Oxford and is the author of several books, including Winter is Coming: The Medieval World of Game of Thrones. She is currently working on a project with twelve artists developing material on folklore and tales of fairies www.modernfairies.co.uk.
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User

Wonderful exhibition and a fitting tribute to the man himself. The exhibition was a delight. We found all the staff to be friendly and helpful. We enjoyed delicious coffee in the cafe in beautiful surroundings. Our only regret was we arrived too late to gain full benefit of the exhibition.We will be back.

User

What a fantastic experience you are promised at the Seamus Heaney Homeplace. The great man is remembered in such an holistic way you almost expect him to appear around the corner to greet you. Great value at €7. Something for everyone. Don't miss this experience and end it with a visit to his grave in nearby graveyard.

User

What a beautiful place to spend time in, emotional, human, soulful and so welcoming. I connected immediately walking over the threshold, the experience is still with me.

User

We attended the opening weekend where my daughter took part in a felt making art workshop. Fabulous centre, well designed and well thought out. Great sense of space but equally intimate.

Staff are lovely and friendly and we had a super first experience!

Being local to the Homeplace, living just a mile or two away we are really excited about this new, local amenity and really intend of making the most of it! Brilliant place, worth a visit!!

User

Visited with my aunt mrs julie Early. Spent 3 hours absorbing the rich unpretentious but powerful descriptions of our local language. So impressed with the variety of ways poetry was presented in seamus heaneys own words visually on screens and by artifacts. Each piece built up his early life married life and literature life as one extraordinary life. Special mention to the childrens section.

User

Visited on Sat 3rd June and it was fantastic. The exhibition is great with just enough interactivity to keep the the story alive. The staff really where brilliant - we were entertained by some great tales from the staff.

Cafe also really nice - and you dont often say that at a museum. Great visit - thank you.

User

This is an excellent centre and a fitting tribute to a wonderful poet.Seamus Heaney's life and works are presented in a warm and personal way with displays of family photographs, anecdotes and poems which give a real insight into how family, place and history and a deep love of language have shaped his amazing poetry.To me, Heaney's poetry is meant to be read aloud and it is wonderful to be able to hear him read his poems by pressing allocated numbers on an individual listening device given to you at the start of your visit.The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and go out of their way to ensure you enjoy the whole experience.

The centre includes not only the exhibition (with the opportunity to vote for your favourite Heaney poem) but a beautiful library, a shop and a coffee shop.

The coffee shop provides delicious soups, sandwiches, scones and traybakes and several people were enjoying lunch on the day we called in.

There is so much to see that further visits will be on the cards.At £7 for a ticket( £4.50 concession) it may seem a bit pricey but I think it was worth every penny.

User

This centre is a fantastic day out. A great collection and tribute! Staff are friendly and kind. I visited with my husband and three children (7,6 and 3). The staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome and ensured that the kids always had something to do! Could not praise them enough. Thank you

User

Seamus Heaney HomePlace is an amazing place to visit, not just for its insight into the life and work of the great poet himself but for its inspiration. Through an education and performance programme it brings poetry and literature to life in a unique and engaging way.

User

Need to comment immediately after a journalism-related event I spoke at, this evening, about the sheer efficiency, warmth and friendliness of staff and management at the Seamus Heaney Home Place in Bellaghy, Derry. The Irish Nobel Laureate would have been so proud (no doubt he was looking down from above with a mischievous grin on his face). Full credit to manager Brian and his team, including Kay, Bernie, Anne Marie and David who worked so hard tonight to make both panel speaker and audience members so welcome. I wish you every success for the future.

User

Loved the whole experience, from coffee on arrival in cafe staffed with lovely people, to those staff helping and directing in the exhibition. Quite emotional, took me back to school a days, reading from Death of a Naturalist and especially Mid-Term Break which has stuck in my mind for many years. It was awesome hearing Seamus Heaney reading it and extremely moving. Seamus Heaney Home Place is a must to be added to 'bucket lists"!

User

It was very special for me to be there & I'm grateful for this opportunity, we were made very welcome by amazing staff throughout the day who couldn't be helpful enough. As I was there with my mother in her wheelchair her needs were very well catered for, thank you. But I will return soon to enjoy the freedom from caring to take in everything in the Museum at my own leisure, a life long love of Seamus Heaney cannot be hurried on my mothers time! It was a fitting tribute from

What I saw & the emotion I felt I take with me for now, thank you all.

User

I visited the Helicon last night to attend a performance by ADRIAN Dunbar. He was reading from Seamus Heaney's District and Circle which having lived in London appealed to me. The expression and feeling ADRIAN Dunbar put into Heaney's observations of the underground was second to none. The poetry readings and stories were interspersed with songs which made this a first rate night out, for me.

User

I couldn’t say enough about how much I great this place is. What touched me was the seamless mesh of his world class work with the ordinary people and areas that filled his life from the beginning. There is so much love for him in the centre, the staff are wonderful - so informative and friendly and willing to let you be or explain things to you there. I honestly could have stayed for hours. So glad that the centre is in Bellaghy and not Belfast or Dublin, the pride of the local people feel Bellaghy’s famous son echos throughout the whole place. The design, content and layout are just world class, like the man himself.

User

Great and interesting place to visit, loved the personal aspect, what inspired him to write his works, the personal family pictures and all aspects of his life from the humble to the huge

User

Going round the home place I felt as if I was plunged head first into the life and head of Seamus Heaney. It was fascinating to see where he got his inspiration and the type of man he was.This was all underpinned throughout by his poems . These tugged so much at aspects of my own life and childhood that I had a permanent happy/sad lump in my throat going round this wonderful, meditative, inspirational place.

User

First trip to the Seamus Heaney home place last night to see Glen Hansard and it was possibly one of the most enjoyable gigs I've been to. Well done to everyone involved. Great atmosphere and well organised. Will be keeping an eye on future events.

User

Fantastic place. I had long been familiar with Heaney's poetry, but it was wonderful having it recited to you in his own languid tones.

It was especially lovely being there with people who were not so familiar, helping them pick a particular favourite poem of mine, and watching their expression change as the words washed over them

User

Fantastic place, well worth a visit. Leave yourself 4-5 hrs at least, so much to see and hear. Staff are so friendly, couldnt do enough for you. Artwork by Donna Lynch in shop is amazing (we bought 2 pieces of her work). Cafe really nice, we will definately be going back for another visit.

User

Wonderful exhibition and a fitting tribute to the man himself. The exhibition was a delight. We found all the staff to be friendly and helpful. We enjoyed delicious coffee in the cafe in beautiful surroundings. Our only regret was we arrived too late to gain full benefit of the exhibition.We will be back.

User

What a fantastic experience you are promised at the Seamus Heaney Homeplace. The great man is remembered in such an holistic way you almost expect him to appear around the corner to greet you. Great value at €7. Something for everyone. Don't miss this experience and end it with a visit to his grave in nearby graveyard.

User

What a beautiful place to spend time in, emotional, human, soulful and so welcoming. I connected immediately walking over the threshold, the experience is still with me.

User

We attended the opening weekend where my daughter took part in a felt making art workshop. Fabulous centre, well designed and well thought out. Great sense of space but equally intimate.

Staff are lovely and friendly and we had a super first experience!

Being local to the Homeplace, living just a mile or two away we are really excited about this new, local amenity and really intend of making the most of it! Brilliant place, worth a visit!!

User

Visited with my aunt mrs julie Early. Spent 3 hours absorbing the rich unpretentious but powerful descriptions of our local language. So impressed with the variety of ways poetry was presented in seamus heaneys own words visually on screens and by artifacts. Each piece built up his early life married life and literature life as one extraordinary life. Special mention to the childrens section.

User

Visited on Sat 3rd June and it was fantastic. The exhibition is great with just enough interactivity to keep the the story alive. The staff really where brilliant - we were entertained by some great tales from the staff.

Cafe also really nice - and you dont often say that at a museum. Great visit - thank you.

User

This is an excellent centre and a fitting tribute to a wonderful poet.Seamus Heaney's life and works are presented in a warm and personal way with displays of family photographs, anecdotes and poems which give a real insight into how family, place and history and a deep love of language have shaped his amazing poetry.To me, Heaney's poetry is meant to be read aloud and it is wonderful to be able to hear him read his poems by pressing allocated numbers on an individual listening device given to you at the start of your visit.The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and go out of their way to ensure you enjoy the whole experience.

The centre includes not only the exhibition (with the opportunity to vote for your favourite Heaney poem) but a beautiful library, a shop and a coffee shop.

The coffee shop provides delicious soups, sandwiches, scones and traybakes and several people were enjoying lunch on the day we called in.

There is so much to see that further visits will be on the cards.At £7 for a ticket( £4.50 concession) it may seem a bit pricey but I think it was worth every penny.

User

This centre is a fantastic day out. A great collection and tribute! Staff are friendly and kind. I visited with my husband and three children (7,6 and 3). The staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome and ensured that the kids always had something to do! Could not praise them enough. Thank you

User

Seamus Heaney HomePlace is an amazing place to visit, not just for its insight into the life and work of the great poet himself but for its inspiration. Through an education and performance programme it brings poetry and literature to life in a unique and engaging way.

User

Need to comment immediately after a journalism-related event I spoke at, this evening, about the sheer efficiency, warmth and friendliness of staff and management at the Seamus Heaney Home Place in Bellaghy, Derry. The Irish Nobel Laureate would have been so proud (no doubt he was looking down from above with a mischievous grin on his face). Full credit to manager Brian and his team, including Kay, Bernie, Anne Marie and David who worked so hard tonight to make both panel speaker and audience members so welcome. I wish you every success for the future.

User

Loved the whole experience, from coffee on arrival in cafe staffed with lovely people, to those staff helping and directing in the exhibition. Quite emotional, took me back to school a days, reading from Death of a Naturalist and especially Mid-Term Break which has stuck in my mind for many years. It was awesome hearing Seamus Heaney reading it and extremely moving. Seamus Heaney Home Place is a must to be added to 'bucket lists"!

User

It was very special for me to be there & I'm grateful for this opportunity, we were made very welcome by amazing staff throughout the day who couldn't be helpful enough. As I was there with my mother in her wheelchair her needs were very well catered for, thank you. But I will return soon to enjoy the freedom from caring to take in everything in the Museum at my own leisure, a life long love of Seamus Heaney cannot be hurried on my mothers time! It was a fitting tribute from

What I saw & the emotion I felt I take with me for now, thank you all.

User

I visited the Helicon last night to attend a performance by ADRIAN Dunbar. He was reading from Seamus Heaney's District and Circle which having lived in London appealed to me. The expression and feeling ADRIAN Dunbar put into Heaney's observations of the underground was second to none. The poetry readings and stories were interspersed with songs which made this a first rate night out, for me.

User

I couldn’t say enough about how much I great this place is. What touched me was the seamless mesh of his world class work with the ordinary people and areas that filled his life from the beginning. There is so much love for him in the centre, the staff are wonderful - so informative and friendly and willing to let you be or explain things to you there. I honestly could have stayed for hours. So glad that the centre is in Bellaghy and not Belfast or Dublin, the pride of the local people feel Bellaghy’s famous son echos throughout the whole place. The design, content and layout are just world class, like the man himself.

User

Great and interesting place to visit, loved the personal aspect, what inspired him to write his works, the personal family pictures and all aspects of his life from the humble to the huge

User

Going round the home place I felt as if I was plunged head first into the life and head of Seamus Heaney. It was fascinating to see where he got his inspiration and the type of man he was.This was all underpinned throughout by his poems . These tugged so much at aspects of my own life and childhood that I had a permanent happy/sad lump in my throat going round this wonderful, meditative, inspirational place.

User

First trip to the Seamus Heaney home place last night to see Glen Hansard and it was possibly one of the most enjoyable gigs I've been to. Well done to everyone involved. Great atmosphere and well organised. Will be keeping an eye on future events.

User

Fantastic place. I had long been familiar with Heaney's poetry, but it was wonderful having it recited to you in his own languid tones.

It was especially lovely being there with people who were not so familiar, helping them pick a particular favourite poem of mine, and watching their expression change as the words washed over them

User

Fantastic place, well worth a visit. Leave yourself 4-5 hrs at least, so much to see and hear. Staff are so friendly, couldnt do enough for you. Artwork by Donna Lynch in shop is amazing (we bought 2 pieces of her work). Cafe really nice, we will definately be going back for another visit.

User

Wonderful exhibition and a fitting tribute to the man himself. The exhibition was a delight. We found all the staff to be friendly and helpful. We enjoyed delicious coffee in the cafe in beautiful surroundings. Our only regret was we arrived too late to gain full benefit of the exhibition.We will be back.

User

What a fantastic experience you are promised at the Seamus Heaney Homeplace. The great man is remembered in such an holistic way you almost expect him to appear around the corner to greet you. Great value at €7. Something for everyone. Don't miss this experience and end it with a visit to his grave in nearby graveyard.

User

What a beautiful place to spend time in, emotional, human, soulful and so welcoming. I connected immediately walking over the threshold, the experience is still with me.

User

We attended the opening weekend where my daughter took part in a felt making art workshop. Fabulous centre, well designed and well thought out. Great sense of space but equally intimate.

Staff are lovely and friendly and we had a super first experience!

Being local to the Homeplace, living just a mile or two away we are really excited about this new, local amenity and really intend of making the most of it! Brilliant place, worth a visit!!

User

Visited with my aunt mrs julie Early. Spent 3 hours absorbing the rich unpretentious but powerful descriptions of our local language. So impressed with the variety of ways poetry was presented in seamus heaneys own words visually on screens and by artifacts. Each piece built up his early life married life and literature life as one extraordinary life. Special mention to the childrens section.

User

Visited on Sat 3rd June and it was fantastic. The exhibition is great with just enough interactivity to keep the the story alive. The staff really where brilliant - we were entertained by some great tales from the staff.

Cafe also really nice - and you dont often say that at a museum. Great visit - thank you.

User

This is an excellent centre and a fitting tribute to a wonderful poet.Seamus Heaney's life and works are presented in a warm and personal way with displays of family photographs, anecdotes and poems which give a real insight into how family, place and history and a deep love of language have shaped his amazing poetry.To me, Heaney's poetry is meant to be read aloud and it is wonderful to be able to hear him read his poems by pressing allocated numbers on an individual listening device given to you at the start of your visit.The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and go out of their way to ensure you enjoy the whole experience.

The centre includes not only the exhibition (with the opportunity to vote for your favourite Heaney poem) but a beautiful library, a shop and a coffee shop.

The coffee shop provides delicious soups, sandwiches, scones and traybakes and several people were enjoying lunch on the day we called in.

There is so much to see that further visits will be on the cards.At £7 for a ticket( £4.50 concession) it may seem a bit pricey but I think it was worth every penny.

User

This centre is a fantastic day out. A great collection and tribute! Staff are friendly and kind. I visited with my husband and three children (7,6 and 3). The staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome and ensured that the kids always had something to do! Could not praise them enough. Thank you

User

Seamus Heaney HomePlace is an amazing place to visit, not just for its insight into the life and work of the great poet himself but for its inspiration. Through an education and performance programme it brings poetry and literature to life in a unique and engaging way.

User

Need to comment immediately after a journalism-related event I spoke at, this evening, about the sheer efficiency, warmth and friendliness of staff and management at the Seamus Heaney Home Place in Bellaghy, Derry. The Irish Nobel Laureate would have been so proud (no doubt he was looking down from above with a mischievous grin on his face). Full credit to manager Brian and his team, including Kay, Bernie, Anne Marie and David who worked so hard tonight to make both panel speaker and audience members so welcome. I wish you every success for the future.

User

Loved the whole experience, from coffee on arrival in cafe staffed with lovely people, to those staff helping and directing in the exhibition. Quite emotional, took me back to school a days, reading from Death of a Naturalist and especially Mid-Term Break which has stuck in my mind for many years. It was awesome hearing Seamus Heaney reading it and extremely moving. Seamus Heaney Home Place is a must to be added to 'bucket lists"!

User

It was very special for me to be there & I'm grateful for this opportunity, we were made very welcome by amazing staff throughout the day who couldn't be helpful enough. As I was there with my mother in her wheelchair her needs were very well catered for, thank you. But I will return soon to enjoy the freedom from caring to take in everything in the Museum at my own leisure, a life long love of Seamus Heaney cannot be hurried on my mothers time! It was a fitting tribute from

What I saw & the emotion I felt I take with me for now, thank you all.

User

I visited the Helicon last night to attend a performance by ADRIAN Dunbar. He was reading from Seamus Heaney's District and Circle which having lived in London appealed to me. The expression and feeling ADRIAN Dunbar put into Heaney's observations of the underground was second to none. The poetry readings and stories were interspersed with songs which made this a first rate night out, for me.

User

I couldn’t say enough about how much I great this place is. What touched me was the seamless mesh of his world class work with the ordinary people and areas that filled his life from the beginning. There is so much love for him in the centre, the staff are wonderful - so informative and friendly and willing to let you be or explain things to you there. I honestly could have stayed for hours. So glad that the centre is in Bellaghy and not Belfast or Dublin, the pride of the local people feel Bellaghy’s famous son echos throughout the whole place. The design, content and layout are just world class, like the man himself.

User

Great and interesting place to visit, loved the personal aspect, what inspired him to write his works, the personal family pictures and all aspects of his life from the humble to the huge

User

Going round the home place I felt as if I was plunged head first into the life and head of Seamus Heaney. It was fascinating to see where he got his inspiration and the type of man he was.This was all underpinned throughout by his poems . These tugged so much at aspects of my own life and childhood that I had a permanent happy/sad lump in my throat going round this wonderful, meditative, inspirational place.

User

First trip to the Seamus Heaney home place last night to see Glen Hansard and it was possibly one of the most enjoyable gigs I've been to. Well done to everyone involved. Great atmosphere and well organised. Will be keeping an eye on future events.

User

Fantastic place. I had long been familiar with Heaney's poetry, but it was wonderful having it recited to you in his own languid tones.

It was especially lovely being there with people who were not so familiar, helping them pick a particular favourite poem of mine, and watching their expression change as the words washed over them

User

Fantastic place, well worth a visit. Leave yourself 4-5 hrs at least, so much to see and hear. Staff are so friendly, couldnt do enough for you. Artwork by Donna Lynch in shop is amazing (we bought 2 pieces of her work). Cafe really nice, we will definately be going back for another visit.

More about Seamus Heaney Homeplace

Seamus Heaney Homeplace is located at 45 Main Street, BT45 8HT Bellaghy
028 7938 7444
Monday: 10:00 - 17:00
Tuesday: 10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 17:00
Friday: 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 13:00 - 17:00
http://www.seamusheaneyhome.com