The Opening of Seamus Heaney HomePlace, a Major New Arts and Literary Centre

A Mid Ulster District Council project, HomePlace is located in the Northern Ireland village of Bellaghy, where Seamus Heaney was raised, and where he drew much of the inspiration for his poetry.

HomePlace has been designed in close collaboration with Seamus Heaney's family, including his wife Marie and three children Michael, Christopher and Catherine Ann who have donated a significant part of his personal library, desk, photographs and artefacts.

His daughter Catherine Ann said:

"It has been rewarding for our family to see this project take shape, from its early stages through to the launch. We hope that HomePlace will become a hub for the local community and a destination for visitors from further afield, and that, for everyone, it will illuminate the poems and bring them to life." 

Seamus Heaney's nephew, Brian McCormick, will manage HomePlace. Fellow poets and friends Paul Muldoon, Peter Fallon, Michael Longley, Sinéad Morrisey and Tom Paulin are all supporting the project and taking part in events.

Councillor Trevor Wilson, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council said:

"Throughout the process we have endeavored to be sensitive to Seamus Heaney and the people closest to him. We have consulted closely with his family on all areas of the development of our permanent exhibition of his life story. As a result, we believe that a very special and authentic experience has been created." 

Purpose-built on the site of a former RUC police station, at a cost of £4.25 million, HomePlace is an exciting addition within its village setting.  The core feature is a permanent exhibition about the life and literature of Seamus Heaney, arranged over two floors and filled with personal stories, dozens of photographs, video recordings from friends, neighbours, world leaders, cultural figures, and the voice of the poet himself.

The centre also boasts a 191-seater performing arts space, education and learning spaces, a café, shop and an annex for community use. A full cultural programme has been developed by renowned artistic directors Sean Doran and Liam Browne.

Poet and friend of Seamus Heaney, Michael Longley said: "This building, the HomePlace, will become an echo chamber for the poet's beautiful lines."

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http://www.seamusheaneyhome.com/