A-Level Lecture Series
Overview
Our popular Key Stage 5 Heaney and Frost Lecture Series includes an exhibition tour, lecture and seminar. As in previous years, lectures will be delivered by Professor Fran Brearton of Queen’s University or Dr Frank Ferguson of Ulster University.
We are also delighted to have Mrs Shelagh O’Brien lecture again this year. Mrs O’Brien was Vice Principal in St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt where she taught both English and Theatre Studies to A-level. Mrs O’Brien has worked as an Examiner, Moderator and Visiting Moderator for both English and Theatre Studies with a number of Examination Boards, including CCEA, AQA and Edexcel.
The seminars which follow each lecture are facilitated by PhD students from Queen’s University and Ulster University and explore key themes through comparative readings of poems from the A-level syllabus.
We will hold one lecture day on the WJEC specification on Friday 13th March 2026 with Dr. Frank Ferguson, focusing on Heaney and Sheers. The day will also include a lecture, seminar and an exhibition tour.
Dates for 2026:
| Tue 20th Jan | AS Level | Mrs Shelagh O’Brien |
| Thu 22nd Jan | AS Level | Mrs Shelagh O’Brien |
| Tue 17th Feb | AS Level | Prof Fran Brearton |
| Wed 18th Feb | AS Level | Dr Frank Ferguson |
| Fri 20th Feb | AS Level | Prof Fran Brearton |
| Tue 24th Feb | AS Level | Prof Fran Brearton |
| Wed 25th Feb | AS Level | Dr Frank Ferguson |
| Fri 27th Feb | AS Level | Prof Fran Brearton |
| Tue 3rd Mar | AS Level | Prof Fran Brearton |
| Wed 4th Mar | AS Level | Dr Frank Ferguson |
| Thu 5th Mar | AS Level | Dr Frank Ferguson |
| Fri 6th Mar | AS Level | Prof Fran Brearton |
| Tue 10th Mar | AS Level | Dr Frank Ferguson |
Schedule for the day:
10.00am: Exhibition tour
11.00am: Break
11.15am: Lecture in Helicon Theatre
12.15pm: Light lunch provided – students to move to seminar rooms
1.00pm: Seminar
2.00pm: Schools to depart
Due to the demand for places on these days, we require at least 7 days’ notice to avoid a cancellation fee. Less than 7 days’ notice will result in a 25% cancellation fee.
Booking Information
Arrival Time
10am
Departure Time
2pm
Price:
£12 per pupil (includes exhibition tour and light lunch)
Your booking will be confirmed when the completed Booking Form has been returned to our Education Officer. Please state if there are any pupils with additional learning needs, access requirements or food allergies.
Pupils should bring writing materials.
There is no charge for school staff.
A great day! The programme was engaging, interactive and perfectly paced. Thank you for having us!
Bangor Academy
What a highly informative and hands-on experience! The pupils were fully engaged and the facilitators were fantastic. Thank you!
Loreto College and St. Joseph’s College, Coleraine
An excellent experience for all pupils. The staff were phenomenal. A very helpful, easy and well prepared experience.
St. Patrick’s High School, Keady
An absolutely wonderful day out! The staff, activities and exhibition were all superb.
Saintfield High School
An excellent experience! The staff were personable and professional and the lecture was outstanding. We will definitely be back.
St. Patrick's College, Banbridge
The lecture was excellent – wonderfully pitched. The students were really impressed.
Methodist College, Belfast
Excellent from start to finish. Keep up the fantastic work!
Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch
Book an Educational visit to
Seamus Heaney HomePlace
If you would like to arrange a visit to HomePlace for your pupils or if you have questions about visiting, please fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
