GCSE English Literature Lecture Series
Overview
Led by Mrs Shelagh O’Brien, these lectures address the CCEA specification and focus on Seamus Heaney’s poems which feature in the anthologies ‘Relationships’, ‘Identity’ and ‘Conflict’. A comparative analysis with the work of other poets will draw out key themes and literary devices.
Dates for 2026:
| Fri 9th Jan | GCSE Conflict | Mrs Shelagh O’Brien |
| Thu 15th Jan | GCSE Conflict | Mrs Shelagh O’Brien |
| Tue 27th Jan | GCSE Conflict | Mrs Shelagh O’Brien |
| Thu 29th Jan | GCSE Identity | Mrs Shelagh O’Brien |
| Tue 3rd Feb | GCSE Conflict | Mrs Shelagh O’Brien |
| Thu 5th Feb | GCSE Relationships | Mrs Shelagh O’Brien |
| Wed 29th Apr | GCSE Conflict | Mrs Shelagh O’Brien |
| Thu 30th Apr | GCSE Conflict | Mrs Shelagh O’Brien |
Schedule for the day:
10.00am: Lecture in Helicon Theatre
11.00am: Nobel Prize film
11.15am: Break
11.30am: Exhibition tour
1.00pm: Rooms provided for packed lunches.
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:
£7 per pupil (includes exhibition tour)
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
The venue itself is inspiring – students are immersed in a celebration of poetry and, in particular, words! The visual impact of the displays is highly effective and educational. The environment has given us so many ideas for our own display boards and our plans for our new library design. We are keen to improve our students’ awareness of other environments and to provide experiences that enhance motivation for learning, and our visit to HomePlace fulfils this goal! Students really enjoyed the space and the chance to enjoy refreshments. Staff were so kind and encouraging.
St. Joseph’s College, Belfast
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.
