Curtain up on the new arts programme at HomePlace in Bellaghy

Seamus Heaney HomePlace are welcoming in the new year of 2026 marking the start of its tenth year in Bellaghy.

In the last 10 years HomePlace has continued to thrive, and the arts programme has gone from strength to strength.

To mark this anniversary there are plans to welcome back some old friends and some new ones too.

It's recommended you keep an eye on the HomePlace website and communications to learn more about what is coming up as 2026 advances.

The opening event of the new programme is the screening of the powerful documentary A Want in Her, directed by Myrid Carten, which charts 30 years of her relationship with her mother dealing with addiction and depression. Later in the season we also show Patrick Kavanagh – No Man’s Fool, Sé Merry Doyle’s award-winning film to mark the 90^th anniversary of the publication of Kavanagh’s first poetry collection The Ploughman and Other Poems.

HomePlace are again delighted to welcome an array of world-renowned musicians to our Helicon this year and this kicks off in February with Sinead Willox in concert, together with some of Ireland’s finest musicians for a very special performance to celebrate the album launch of Seoda Uladh (Jewels of Ulster). Also not to be missed is “Art Forms Colliding” with Duke Special, when this unique event will see Duke play an intimate concert at Homeplace performing a range of his songs inspired by visual art and literature. The final concert is performed by Conor Mallon, widely regarded as one of the finest uillean pipers of his generation, Conor will be joined by his band, featuring Jack Warnock on guitar/vocals, Paul Starrett on electric guitar and Colm Phelan on bodhrán. I can’t wait to book my seat for any of these amazing musical experiences.

Brilliant writers are also a major part of this year’s programme, the first being the appearance of Dr Marie Cassidy in conversation with Hugh Odling-Smee. An evening in the company of Dr Cassidy is bound to be a fascinating journey into her career as Ireland’s State Pathologist and now as a writer and novelist.

Charles Thomson was born near Maghera in 1729 and from these humble beginnings he went on to become one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, becoming one of the co-signatures of the original Declaration of Independence in 1776. HomePlace hosts a lecture about Charles and his life, with Rev Dr David Latimer and Rev Dr Stephen and Courtney McKinney-Whittaker to mark the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Stuart Bailie returns to HomePlace to talk with Stephen McCauley about The Song is Nearly Over, his own collection of stories and articles which cover 40 years of insights and shenanigans in the music world with the likes of U2, Oasis, Radiohead, Tom Waits and Sinead O’Connor.

Nicholas Allen visits HomePlace to celebrate the publication of his new book, Late Heaney, with Neil Hegarty. Nicholas and Neil will be joined on the evening by the wonderful Iarla Ó Lionáird, a sean-nós singer, instrumentalist and artist known globally for his performances especially with The Gloaming. We welcome back Simon Armitage to HomePlace, and the poet laureate will read from his two new poetry books, Dwell and New Cemetery, followed by a chance to ask some questions.

Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce comes to the Helicon to talk to us about the many facets of his distinguished career, from his hugely popular award-winning children’s books to his screenwriting for film and television and memorably, Frank also co-devised the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics with Danny Boyle. I know the conversation with Frank will be one not to be missed.

An Evening with Pat McCabe promises to be full of unexpected pleasures, hearing him talk about his writing life, read poetry by Heaney and Durcan and even sing us a bit of Elvis.

Sinead Morrissey was the first poet to deliver a reading on the Helicon stage 10 years ago and they’re delighted to welcome her back to discuss her career and her new memoir to be published in March 2026.

If you haven’t heard of Tom Crean, the Antarctic explorer then you are in for a treat with this one man play written and performed by Aidan Dooley. Aidan tells the story of Tom the intrepid explorer and unsung hero of Ireland, who served with both Scott and Shackleton and survived. Aidan has performed to sell-out audiences throughout the world, and this is an event that should not be missed.

Finally, the great Colin Davidson joins the venue, who along with his longtime friend Mark Carruthers has created a memoir and artistic manifesto, Twelve Paintings, which delves into his creative process and the human stories behind his work. Sarah Travers talks to both men about how they created this unique piece and the processes behind it.

As you can see, HomePlace look forward to yet another rich and varied season at Seamus Heaney HomePlace, with I’m sure something in here to interest and engage everyone. 

Tickets for the events can be purchased from 10am on Wednesday 10 December, by calling the box office on 028 7938 7444 or online at Seamus Heaney Home.