About

Seamus Heaney HomePlace takes you on an inspiring journey through the life and work of one of Ireland’s greatest writers

Seamus Heaney HomePlace is an award-winning, purpose-built arts and literary centre, and a visit here allows you to immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Seamus Heaney and explore, through his words and imagination the people and place that so inspired him.

Situated between Heaney’s two childhood homes at Mossbawn and The Wood, and only a few hundred yards from St Mary’s Church, Bellaghy, which he chose as his final resting place, HomePlace is at the heart of the area that inspired so much of the poet’s work.

It’s a place where you can sense the warmth of Heaney’s relationships with local people and landscapes, where you can immerse yourself in the Nobel Laureate’s literature.

Described by Michael Longley as “an echo chamber for the poet’s beautiful lines”, Seamus Heaney HomePlace features a fully interactive exhibition over two floors, filled with personal stories, images and the voice of the poet himself. A recreation of his Dublin study will transport you back to 1995, when Seamus Heaney was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Previously unseen artefacts, transcripts and books kindly donated by the Heaney family are also on display, ensuring a truly unique and illuminating experience for all.

As well as a visit to the exhibition you can also follow in Heaney’s footsteps by travelling our Open Ground trail.  This is a series of local sites that shaped Seamus Heaney’s life and literature.  Visitors can journey through this landscape which will acquaint them with the same lanes, roads and paths, so much a part of Seamus Heaney’s formative years.

Combine your visit with lunch or coffee in our HomePlace café, which recently featured in The Guardian’s Top 50 Best Museum Cafes in the UK.

HomePlace also houses The Helicon, our intimate 191-seater performance space, designed with a nod to the Greek theatre which Seamus Heaney so loved, and where you can enjoy theatre, music, song, poetry, readings and talks.  We have already hosted visits from a diverse array of artists ranging from Michael Palin and Joan Baez to Gary Lightbody, Frank Skinner and Van Morrison.

Admission Prices

Adults £12

Concessions (60 years and over) £8

Children 8 years and over £7.50

Children 7 years and under Free

Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) £29

Student £8