HomePlace Celebrates The Poems of Seamus Heaney

Last Saturday, 11th October 2025, we were honoured to host a truly special evening celebrating the launch of The Poems of Seamus Heaney, the long-awaited, definitive edition of the Nobel Laureate’s poetry.

This landmark publication presents the full arc of Heaney’s extraordinary career: from Death of a Naturalist (1966) to Human Chain (2010), his twelfth and final book. It includes every poem published during his lifetime, along with those released posthumously in journals, pamphlets and limited editions, as well as previously unpublished material selected by the poet’s family.

The evening brought together editors Rosie Lavan, Bernard O’Donoghue and Matthew Hollis for a thoughtful discussion of the collection, with moving readings by Derry Girls’ Kathy Kiera Clarke and exquisite music from Louise Mulcahy on the uilleann pipes bequeathed to her by the late master piper Liam O’Flynn.

O’Flynn and Heaney shared a deep creative bond, culminating in their celebrated 2003 studio album The Poet and the Piper, which brought together poetry, spoken word and traditional music. The pair reunited a final time for a special performance at the Millenium Forum in Derry in August 2013, just weeks before Heaney’s passing.

We were delighted to be joined by Seamus Heaney’s family for this very special occasion, celebrating a collection that traces the full arc of his remarkable career – from every poem published in his lifetime to posthumous works from journals, limited circulations and previously unpublished material chosen by his family.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this evening possible and to all who joined us in celebrating Seamus Heaney’s enduring legacy!