Acclaimed poets, authors and musicians to perform at Seamus Heaney HomePlace as part of a stunning summer programme of events

Acclaimed poets, authors and musicians to perform at Seamus Heaney HomePlace as part of a stunning summer programme of events

Taking place from May to August 2023 at Seamus Heaney HomePlace, the upcoming events programme is overflowing with brilliant musicians, poets, authors, and artists. Setting the tone for a wonderful summer season is ‘Ellipses’ by Maria McManus and Keith Acheson, featuring the very talented Arco String Quartet.

Poet Alice McCullough brings her critically acclaimed one-woman show ‘Earth to Alice’ to The Helicon on 12th May, this event is taking place in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival, which runs from 11th – 21st May 2023.

Audiences will enjoy several genres of music throughout the season, featuring renowned performers such as Mundy (27th May), Lisa Lambe (3rd June), Ruth McGinley (1st July), Luka Bloom (8th July) and Colm Mac Con Iomaire (26th August).

A film screening of the Oscar-nominated Irish-language feature film An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) is planned for 10th June. This coming-of-age drama tells the poignant tale of a young girl sent to live with distant relatives in eighties rural Ireland.

Playwright, author and poetry aficionado Roger McGough brings ‘Alive & Gigging’ to HomePlace near the end of June. This will be Roger’s second visit to The Helicon following a memorable sell-out appearance in 2019.

Then there is the special announcement of the debut performance of Brian Bilston in The Helicon in November. Brian Bilston has gathered a huge following on social media and has been described as ‘Twitter’s unofficial Poet Laureate.’

The highlight of the summer is a weekend of events to mark the tenth anniversary of the death of Seamus Heaney. Seamus Heaney HomePlace will welcome a number of award-winning poets from across Ireland and the UK over the course of this commemorative weekend. The weekend will close with a poignant screening of Seamus Heaney and the music of what happens.

This special weekend is taking place from 25th – 27th August 2023 at Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy and is part of a full programme of events happening throughout the summer. A weekend pass for all five events is available to book.

Councillor Córa Corry, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council which owns and operates Seamus Heaney HomePlace, said:

“As always, I am impressed with the variety and quality of events on offer this summer at Seamus Heaney HomePlace. I look forward to welcoming you to Bellaghy to celebrate the arts and enjoy the performances in the intimate setting of The Helicon. The beautifully curated season demonstrates the significance of poetry and the ongoing influence of Seamus Heaney.”

Brian McCormick, Manager of Seamus Heaney HomePlace, said:

“The upcoming summer programme is full of award-winning performers and artists and maintains the standards our audiences have become accustomed to. The highlight of this season is a weekend of events to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the death of Seamus Heaney. Through marking this significant date, HomePlace brings to a close a brilliant summer season of events.”

The summer programme will be on sale from 10am on Monday 3rd April at: https://seamusheaneyhome.com/upcoming-events/