In the Footsteps of Seamus Heaney | Private Car Tour
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Live commentary on board
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
Itinerary
The beautiful Lanyon Building at Queens is one of Belfast's landmark architectural gems, but adjacent to this is the Seamus Heaney Library, dedicated in his honour as both student and teacher.
We will take a detour to take in the panorama of Seamus Heaney's beloved South Derry, a living breathing map of the places celebrated in his work. We will stop at the ancient coaching inn at Crosskeys for some refreshments.
In his seminal poem 'The Lough Neagh Sequence' Heaney charts the astonishing journey of the Lough Neagh Eel from the Sargasso Sea, across the Atlantic and upriver on the Bann to Lough Neagh. On this visit you will see the existing Fishery which keeps the tradition of Eel Fishing alive in this community.
We will take in the local GAA grounds where the Heaney's played Gaelic Football, then pass by the Forge at Hillhead, which features in one of Seamus Heaney's earliest poems from A Door Into the Dark.
We will not be taking to the water, but we will visit The Strand at Lough Beg, Seamus Heaney's 'favourite place in the world'. Here you will listen to his poem of that name that commemorates his cousin who was murdered during the Troubles.
We will visit the award-winning Tap House Bar and Restaurant to enjoy a sumptous local lunch, prepared using locally sourced produce. Extra Cost.
When Seamus Heaney died in August 2013, he took the local community by surprise by choosing his native Bellaghy as his final resting place. He he lies, his gravestone facing westwards over his beloved Tamlaghduff with the simple epitaph 'Walk on Air Against Your Better Judgement'.
Seamus Heaney's final public act for this community in Bellaghy was the unveiling in April 2008 of The Turf Man by artist David Annand. Inspired by his seminal poem 'Digging', Seamus said of the sculpture at its unveiling, 'it is the right image, in the right place'.
Before we visit the Seamus Heaney HomePlace, we will stop for lunch at the adjacent Tap House Bar and Restaurant. The HomePlace is a purpose built museum the pays homage to the great poet and his lifetime's work. During your tour you can hear Seamus hauntingly reading his own poems as you take a journey through his life.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Minimum age is 16 years
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Traveler reviews
Seamus Heaney Fans take Note.
Wonderful immersive experience that gave great insight into the life and poetry of Seamus Heaney with a knowledgeable and amiable guide who knew the poet personally. My highest recommendation to anyone who loves poetry and wants to find out more about Nobel Prize winner Seamus Heaney. Five stars.
An Experience That Lives In My Soul
Mr. Fergal was a larger than life man. Throughout the trip, he told me so many personal stories of the land we explored, I wish I had written them all down! He's intelligent, hilarious, and very humble, despite all the great things he's done in the tourism industry for Ireland. I truly felt entwined into the land during my seven hour trip, and I wish there could have been a day tour #2. It was that good! At some points, I got emotional viewing the sights, and him telling me about the history of the sights. I learned so much about Seamus Heaney and his homeland from Fergal. Without him, my trip to Ireland wouldn't have been nearly as remarkable. Thank you Fergal!