Welcome to a special edition of the Culture NI newsletter celebrating the new events programme at Seamus Heaney HomePlace. Featuring exclusive appearances in Northern Ireland by a wealth of artists and expert speakers, each programme will consist of creative and accessible responses to Heaney's collections in an intimate new performance space called The Helicon.
Events programmer Liam Browne on 'encapsulating' Seamus Heaney's vision and spirit at the new multi-function art space celebrating the poet's legacy in Bellaghy.
Win a fantastic HomePlace prize package including an overnight stay for two at the Ardtara Country House, an evening meal in the award-winning Clark Restaurant plus Seamus Heaney exhibition and event tickets.
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Seamus Heaney with a fully interactive, two-floor exhibition described by Michael Longley as 'an echo chamber for the poet's beautiful lines'.
Door into the Dark: A Dramatic Reading Nov 18 & 19 ~ The Helicon Performance featuring Stella McCusker (Game of Thrones), Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones, The Fall) and Matthew McElhinney.
Sparks Flying at the Forge Nov 19 & 20 ~ The Forge A weekend-long celebration of the joys and challenges of creativity, mixing blacksmith demonstrations with readings of Heaney's work.
The Time of Its Life Nov 25 ~ The Helicon An evening of guitar music hosted by Ralph McLean and featuring Colin Reid, Robin James Hurt and Gary Lutton.
Christmas Card Printmaking Nov 27 ~ Workshop 25 Design and create your own HomePlace-inspired holiday cards with help artists from Seacourt: The Centre for Contemporary Printmaking.
Anna Pavord In Conversation Dec 3 ~ The Helicon The bestselling author and journalist explores the many ways in which artists, writers and poets have responded to the rural landscape.
A Place in the World: Belonging After Brexit Dec 3 ~ The Helicon Author and journalist Fintan O'Toole leads a lively debate examining the ways in which Brexit is redrawing the cultural map.
James Kelman In Conversation Dec 10 ~ The Helicon The Booker Prize-winning novelist discusses the importance of language and reads from his acclaimed new book Dirt Road.
Wintering Out: An Illuminations Introduction Dec 10 ~ The Helicon Peter McDonald. Professor of British and Irish Poetry at Christ Church College, Oxford, discusses Heaney's 1972 collection.
Make Your Own Christmas Wreath Dec 18 ~ Workshop 10 Join Clive Little from Welig Heritage Crafts to construct your own Christmas wreath from his home-grown willow, spruce, pine and holly.
Alan Hollinghurst In Conversation Nov 20 ~ The Helicon The Booker Prize-winning novelist shares his wealth of memories of Heaney and his work with poet and critic Bernard O'Donaghue.
The Glass Shore: Sinéad Gleeson Nov 26 ~ The Helicon Readings and panel discussion with Rosemary Jenkinson and Bernie McGill, exploring the role and representation of women writers in NI.
Archbishop Martin: Growing Up in Between Dec 3 ~ The Helicon Archbishop of Armagh and former St. Columb's College pupil, teacher and president explores the importance of the parish and diocese in Irish life.
Wintering Out: A Dramatic Reading Dec 9 & 10 ~ The Helicon Artistic Director and co-founder of Rough Magic Lynn Parker brings her unique vision to bear on Heaney's 1972 collection, Wintering Out.
The Home Key: Liam Ó'Maonlaí Dec 10 ~ The Helicon The Hothouse Flowers singer performs solo as part of the concert series exploring themes of place and belonging in his own inimitable style.
Patrick Deeley and Donal Ryan Dec 11 ~ The Helicon This event pairs two writers whose work, like Heaney’s, maps the terrain of Irish rural life in luminous, heartbreaking prose.
