'I had my existence. I was there.
Me in place and the place in me.'
Seamus Heaney, A Herbal
Life
Discover how Seamus Heaney’s formative years in the Bellaghy area shaped his life and were a source of inspiration throughout his career. Our exhibition is packed with poetry, photographs and stories that take you to the heart of Heaney’s life and work.
Literature
Browse our library, where you will see on display hundreds of books donated by the Heaney family from Seamus Heaney’s own collection, or immerse yourself in our exploration of the poet’s words, rhythm and rhyme.
Inspiration
Savour a piece of theatre, music or poetry in our performance space, The Helicon, or get hands on with a range of engaging arts and crafts activities that will soon get the creativity flowing for kids and adults alike. Be inspired by your visit.
Upcoming Events
Seamus Heaney Exhibition
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Seamus Heaney, and explore through his words and
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Open Ground Guided Experience
Open Ground is a unique visitor experience centered on locations that shaped Seamus Heaney’s
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Film Screening: A Want in Her
Donegal video artist Myrid Carten returns from London to help find her mother who
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The HomePlace Book Club
With Carol O’Doherty & Patricia BroderickA story is always better if you have someone
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Poetry Book Club with Niamh McNally
Are you interested in reading more contemporary Irish poetry but aren’t quite sure where
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Dr Marie Cassidy In Conversation with Hugh Odling-Smee
Following more than 30 years in forensic medicine and 15 years as Ireland’s State
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Charles Thomson: Irish Emigrant, American Founder
A Lecture with Rev. Dr David Latimer and Courtney McKinney-Whittaker followed by Film Screening: The
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Sinéad Willox In Concert
Sinéad Willox gathers some of Ireland’s finest musicians for a very special performance to
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Stuart Bailie in Conversation with Stephen McCauley
Stuart Bailie is an NME veteran, a music journalist and author from Belfast. He
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Two-day Workshop: Hand-stitched Leather Satchel
Drawing on his experience of over 20 years in the film (Game of Thrones,
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Nicholas Allen In Conversation with Neil Hegarty with music by Iarla Ó Lionáird
Join us for an evening of conversation and music with Neil Hegarty and Iarla
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An Evening with Simon Armitage
Join the Poet Laureate for an engaging evening of readings from his two new
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Workshop: Blogging for Joy with Sharon Jones
Bringing words and pictures into conversation, blogging is a remarkable platform to share the
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Film Screening: Patrick Kavanagh: No Man’s Fool plus Q&A
Presented by Loopline FilmWe are delighted to screen Sé Merry Doyle’s award-winning film Patrick
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Play on Words Theatre presents Tom Crean: Antarctic Explorer
Written and performed by Aidan DooleyTom Crean, the intrepid Antarctic explorer and one of
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Frank Cottrell-Boyce In Conversation with Martin Melarkey
Frank Cottrell-Boyce is an award-winning children’s author and writer for stage and screen. Millions,
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Workshop: An Introduction to Writing Poetry with Elaine Gaston
Poet Elaine Gaston visits HomePlace to lead an introductory workshop to writing poetry. This practical
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An Evening with Pat McCabe
McCabe is not a poet but come along and hear him read Heaney and
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Twelve Paintings: Colin Davidson and Mark Carruthers in Conversation
Twelve Paintings is an intimate and compelling exploration of the life and work of
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‘Art Forms Colliding’ with Duke Special
Duke Special has written numerous songs inspired by other art forms: Under the Dark
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Sinéad Morrissey In Conversation with Jan Carson
Sinéad Morrissey was the first poet to read in The Helicon, alongside Michael Longley,
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Conor Mallon Band In Concert
Conor Mallon is widely regarded as one of the finest uilleann pipers of his
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Jan Carson in Conversation
Jan Carson needs no introduction to our Helicon audiences having chaired conversations with several
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Workshop: Lino Printing and Carving with Ruth Osbourne
Under the guidance of Irish textile and print artist Ruth Osbourne, this workshop will
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Edge Street Live presents Brian Bilston
How to Lay an Egg with a Horse InsideBrian Bilston has been described as
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