Seamus Heaney HomePlace

02/09/2026

HomePlace: A Decade Celebration 🎉

On Saturday 26th September, we will celebrate 10 years of Seamus Heaney HomePlace with a very special anniversary evening.

The event will feature music from Neil Martin, Anthony Toner and Rod McVey, alongside readings from Glenn Patterson, Seán McGinley and Bronagh Gallagher.

Together, we will celebrate the people, stories and moments that have shaped HomePlace over the past decade and look ahead to everything still to come.

📆 Date: Saturday 26th September
⏰ Time: 7.30pm
🎟️ Tickets: £25

We are looking forward to marking this important milestone and reflecting on a decade of HomePlace.

01/09/2026

Since opening our doors in September 2016, Seamus Heaney HomePlace has become a vibrant home for literature, music, ideas and creativity, welcoming audiences from near and far to explore and celebrate the life, work and legacy of Seamus Heaney.

Now, a decade on, our story is still being written.

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary on 29th September, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of our story so far. We are incredibly grateful for your support, memories and for continuing this journey with us.

Join us throughout September as we celebrate 10 years of Seamus Heaney HomePlace. Here’s to the next chapter!

31/08/2026

‘Our imaginative estate’: Heaney Letters Display

From the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

This September, as part of our 10th anniversary celebrations, we are delighted to present a special display of correspondence between Seamus Heaney and fellow poet and mentor John Hewitt, in partnership with PRONI.

On display in the HomePlace Library throughout September, these letters from 1966 to 1972 offer a fascinating glimpse into the ‘rhythm and routine’ of family, work and writing, as well as the important relationship between two generations of Irish writers.

Come and explore these fascinating letters and discover more about the relationship between Heaney and Hewitt, and the encouragement and mentorship that shaped Heaney’s early career.

Free admission | No booking required.

With kind permission of the Deputy Keeper of the Records, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland D3838/3/7

30/08/2026

Bringing Northern Ireland’s theatre history to life 🎭

We are delighted that acclaimed actors Ruairi Conaghan and Caitriona Hinds will join Jane Coyle for A Better Locksmith in the Helicon this September, delivering a series of readings celebrating some of the most distinctive voices in Northern Irish theatre.

The pair will bring extracts from works including Seamus Heaney’s The Cure at Troy, Brian Friel’s Philadelphia, Here I Come!, Marie Jones’ Lay Up Your Ends, Owen McCafferty’s Agreement, Gary Mitchell’s Trust and many more.

With extensive careers spanning theatres in Northern Ireland, Ireland, London and beyond, both Ruairi and Caitriona bring a wealth of experience to these readings.

Their contribution is a perfect complement to Jane Coyle’s A Better Locksmith - a remarkable chronicle of more than 40 years of theatre in Northern Ireland, documenting the people, productions and stories that shaped the region’s theatrical landscape from 1984 to 2025.

Join us for an afternoon of conversation, memories and live readings as Jane reflects on this extraordinary history, with Ruairi and Caitriona bringing some of its voices to life.

📆 Date: Sunday 13th September
⏰ Time: 3pm
🎟️ Tickets: £12.50

Book your tickets now > https://seamusheaneyhome.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873666419

📚 The £52.50 Book & Ticket bundle also includes a paperback copy of A Better Locksmith.

29/08/2026

28/08/2026

📚 Poetry Book Club with Niamh McNally

Are you curious about contemporary Irish poetry but not sure where to start?

Join poet Niamh McNally for a relaxed book club exploring the ideas, themes and techniques found in the work of established and emerging Irish poets.

Each session focuses on a different collection. Read the book beforehand, then come along for an informal discussion and a chance to discover new voices in Irish poetry.

• Saturday 26 September - Elsa and the Wolfman by Eoghan Walls
• Saturday 24 October - The Thirteenth Moon by Moyra Donaldson

🕒 Time: 2pm
🎟️ Cost: £6

Whether you're an avid poetry reader or looking to explore something new, all are welcome - secure your space now > https://seamusheaneyhome.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873663570

27/08/2026

| Michael Longley

As we countdown to our 10th anniversary this September, we are taking a look back at some of the most remarkable people we have welcomed to Seamus Heaney HomePlace over the past decade.

It feels fitting to begin with the great poet Michael Longley who was part of HomePlace’s story from the very beginning.

Michael was our inaugural speaker during our opening weekend in 2016, delivering the first reading in our Helicon theatre. The connection feels especially fitting as the space takes its name from Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘Personal Helicon’, which was written for Michael.

Michael returned to HomePlace on many special occasions in the years that followed, sharing his poetry, insight and warmth with audiences.

As we approach 10 years, we feel privileged to look back on those occasions and remember the very special place Michael held in the story of HomePlace.

26/08/2026

🎶 Seán Keane in Concert

Following previous sell-out performances in 2020 and 2023, we are delighted to welcome one of Ireland’s defining voices of contemporary folk music back to the Helicon for another unforgettable evening of Irish music and storytelling.

Steeped in music and tradition, Seán Keane grew up in County Galway as part of the celebrated Keane family. His extraordinary voice and multi-instrumental talent have carried the stories and sounds of Ireland around the world, from sean nós and traditional ballads to country and blues.

"Seán Keane is a touchstone of great singing tradition. He is the past, the present and the future." — The late Shay Healy

📆 Date: Friday 25th September
⏰ Time: 7.30pm
🎟️ Tickets: £30

Secure your tickets now > https://seamusheaneyhome.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873666456

Seán Keane

25/08/2026

🎨 Our last Creative Learning Zone Drop-In Session is this Friday, 28th August!

Come along and enjoy a range of fun, hands-on activities for all ages!

To secure your space, call 028 7938 7444 or book online through our exhibition booking page > https://seamusheaneyhome.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873560204/events/128605299

Creative Learning Zone Drop-In Sessions 🎨

Enjoy our special all-day reduced-rate drop-in sessions in the Creative Learning Zone and take part in a variety of fun and creative activities this summer at HomePlace.

Get creative, learn new skills and enjoy a fun-filled day with hands-on activities for all ages!

📆 Dates: 3rd, 22nd, 31st July & 5th, 10th, 28th August
⏰ Time: All day
🎟️ Cost: £2 per person (per hour)

Suitable for all ages
Maximum 10 bookings per hour.

To secure your space, call 028 7938 7444 or book online through our exhibition booking page > https://seamusheaneyhome.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873560204/events/128605255