Seamus Heaney HomePlace

The words and work of Seamus Heaney are deeply rooted in his home of Bellaghy, County Derry: the place that inspired him, that he cherished deeply and that he returned to in his imagination time and again.

Now you can explore Heaney’s home for yourself at Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy, a brand new centre dedicated to the life and work of one of Ireland’s greatest writers.

eamus Heaney HomePlace, your journey begins here…

Celebrating the life, literature and legacy of one of Ireland’s greatest writers, Seamus Heaney HomePlace is newly opened and already attracting hundreds of visitors each week.

The 2000 square metre arts and literary centre in Bellaghy stands at the heart of the area where the poet, scholar and Nobel Laureate spent his formative years and to which he returned time and time again, both physically and as a rich source of inspiration for his poetry.

A stunning exhibition packed with never-before-seen artefacts will help you discover the world in which Heaney lived. You can explore his roots, hear from the people who inspired him, see an interpretation of his famous study, and find out he became the most celebrated poet of our age.

With music, readings, drama and much more in our dedicated performance space, The Helicon, there’s something to inspire everyone at Seamus Heaney HomePlace.

His deep connections with the place and its people are explored in an exhibition across two floors, featuring dozens of personal stories, photographs and artefacts – from his school desk to his school satchel - as well as the voice of the poet himself reading his own work.

A representation of his attic study, which includes items from the original room in Dublin and original manuscripts, transports visitors back to 1995 when Seamus Heaney on holiday in Greece remained unaware that he had been awarded the highest of all literary accolades – the Nobel Prize in Literature – while messages of congratulations flooded in from around the world. 

In this space, a film of reactions to the award, including from the man himself, his wife and children and leading cultural figures, recalls the significance of the announcement and the ceremony.

As visitors make their journey through his life and literature, they’ll encounter the objects, events, people, words, landscapes which sparked his imagination, and receive an insight into the building blocks, tools and methods Heaney employed as he embarked on the poetic process.

There’s also the opportunity to get creative whether you’re young or old. Make a paper kite, play with words, pick up a pen and write, draw or colour. Dress up like a blacksmith or a Boston Fireman. Or simply sit down with a book!

An intimate 190-seater performance space, the Helicon, provides the venue for music, song, drama, poetry and readings in an events programme which takes Seamus Heaney and his work as its inspiration.

And relaxation comes too in our café, serving quality, locally-sourced produce - perfect place to end your journey.

Seamus Heaney HomePlace

45 Main Street
Bellaghy
BT45 8HT

Telephone

028 7938 7444