Arts, Culture and Heritage

There’s a rich history of arts, culture and heritage to be found among the beautiful rural landscape of Mid Ulster.

Discover culturally-enriching Mid Ulster

Our landscape inspired one of the greatest Irish writers of all time, Seamus Heaney, so it should come as no surprise that Mid Ulster is full of things to do if you’re a fan of arts, culture and heritage. Learn more about Heaney’s life and literature at Seamus Heaney HomePlace, take in artistic performances at one of our local theatres, or delve deep into our heritage at one of Mid Ulster’s magnificent historic houses and their sweeping estates.

Don’t be fooled by the picturesque landscape or the relaxing pace of life. Yes, Mid Ulster gives you time to unwind, but that potent combination of beautiful surroundings and space to think can often unlock incredible creativity. Whatever way you choose to unwind you can do it at your own pace here!

Historic sites, period properties and glorious gardens

If you like your culture holidays to include some architecture, interior design and social history, then you’ll love the many historic homes you can visit in Mid Ulster. You’ll find the work of renowned Regency era architect John Nash, large Plantation properties and some of the most eye-catching castles in Northern Ireland dotted across our landscapes.

Once the family seats of nobility and aristocracy, these vast estates with their impressive collections of art, furniture and costume, are now open for you to explore and enjoy as part of your visit to Mid Ulster.

Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney

This is a special place. A moving place. An inspirational place. Seamus Heaney HomePlace takes you on an inspiring journey through the life and work of one of Ireland’s greatest writers.

Situated between Heaney’s two childhood homes at Mossbawn and The Wood, and only a few hundred yards from St Mary’s Church, Bellaghy, which he chose as his final resting place, HomePlace is at the heart of the area that inspired so much of the poet’s work. It’s a place where you can sense the warmth of Heaney’s relationships with local people and landscapes; where you can immerse yourself in the Nobel Laureate’s literature.

The Helicon is just one of several theatres in Mid Ulster. The intimate 190-seater performance space, designed with a nod to the Greek theatre which Seamus Heaney so loved, is where you can enjoy theatre, music, song, poetry, readings and talks inspired by his life and literature on the traverse stage.

A night at the theatre

See what’s on at the theatre and plan the perfect night out during your visit. With packed programmes of music, drama, comedy, poetry and dance, there’s a wide range of options for enriching entertainment on offer at our auditoriums and intimate performance spaces.

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Awaken your Giant Spirit

Seamus Heaney

Take your own adventure through the life and literature of one of the greatest Irish writers of all time. Visit Seamus Heaney HomePlace to discover how the poet’s formative years here shaped his work, then head out to experience for yourself the places of Mid Ulster that inspired his poetry.
Historic Houses, Sites & Gardens

Step back in time with a visit to one of the many historic sites and properties that are found in Mid Ulster. Explore luxurious 17th century houses, imposing castles and their beautiful, vast estates. Learn about the people who lived here (and perhaps meet the ghosts who still do).
Arts & Crafts

Discover our local artists and artisans and the wonderful array of artwork, textiles, ceramics and other works they create. Get hands-on and make your own arts and crafts at a workshop or find the perfect, handmade memento of your time in Mid Ulster from one of our galleries, gift shops or studios.
Theatres

See what’s on at Mid Ulster’s theatres and plan the perfect night out during your visit. With packed programmes of music, drama, comedy, poetry and dance, there’s a wide range of options for enriching entertainment on offer at our auditoriums and intimate performance spaces.

Take time to explore

Awaken your Giant Spirit

Tullaghoge Fort

Tullaghoge Fort was a royal power centre which came to historical prominence in the 11th Century when it was a dynastic centre for Cenel nEogain (later the O’Neills).
Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House

Ranfurly House is an impressive Victorian building located in Dungannon and gateway to the ancient site of Hill of The O’Neill. Hill of The O’Neill is one of the most important heritage sites in Ireland with breath taking panoramic views over seven of the nine counties of Ulster.
US Grant Ancestral Homestead

Explore the cottage of the Simpson family with close ties to Ulysses Simpson Grant, the Commander of the victorious Union troops in the American Civil War. U.S. Grant served two terms as U.S. President and visited the homeland.
Lissan House

Lissan House is an enchanting country residence set within a 260 acre demesne of ancient woodland and forestry. The estate was created in the 17th century and remained the home of the Staples family for nearly 400 years.
Seamus Heaney Open Ground

Explore locations linking the landscape and the literature of Seamus Heaney. Venture out to Open Ground, a series of five locations which held great significance for Seamus Heaney.
Killymoon Castle

Killymoon castle sits in picturesque surroundings overlooking the Ballinderry River on the outskirts of Cookstown just 50 miles from Belfast by car. The castle is a grade A listed building designed by the famous architect John Nash.
Springhill

Step back to 1912 as you experience the Lenox-Conyngham home on the morning they left to board Titanic. See the exhibition, featuring pieces from the Titanic era, including 11-year-old Eileen Lenox-Conyngham’s letter, written on Titanic headed paper.
LOCAL HERITAGE

Heritage Centres

Let local heritage centres tell their story. Community based centres and hubs for collecting and documenting historical and cultural information about Mid Ulster and the surrounding area.

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