SEAMUS HEANEY CENTRE VISIT TO NEW YORK 
18 October 2019
Professor Glenn Patterson, Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s, is to lead a unique visit to New York, in celebration of the Centre’s first fifteen years, and to introduce new writers and initiatives.
Graduates and friends of the University living in or near New York – or currently working in or visiting the ‘Big Apple’ – will enjoy a unique opportunity to find out more about the Centre and its new stronger ties with New York City in a showcase event in the Lotte Palace Hotel on Monday 28 October.
Places are limited at what is expected to be a very popular event. Those wishing to attend should contact Shelley McEvoy (telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 3100) to check availability and to advise of any access, dietary or other requirements.
A University spokesperson said: “Showcasing the work of the Seamus Heaney Centre in New York is an exciting first for the University.”
“Those of us who work in the Centre are deeply proud of the international reputation we have as the home of Creative Writing at Queen's, embracing as Seamus did in his writing lifetime, playwriting, prose, translation and song as well as poetry, criticism and practice.
“We are looking forward to introducing some of our new and emerging writers and to outlining our flourishing programme of MAs, writing workshops and reading groups, to a New York audience.”
In addition to Professor Glenn Patterson, other speakers will include artist and Honorary Graduate, artist Colin Davidson; poet and writer Dr Leontia Flynn; poet Dr Stephen Sexton; poet, novelist, screenwriter and former lawyer Professor Nick Laird; and New York-based poet and teacher, Erin Lynn.
Hosting the special event will be Professor Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen's, who will be joined by colleagues from the Centre and from across the University.
Throughout the evening, which will start at 6pm, guests will enjoy a series of readings from Seamus Heaney Centre staff and will be entertained with some live traditional music.
Speaking about the event, Ian Moore, Head of Alumni and Supporter Engagement, said: “What a marvellous opportunity for Queen’s to showcase the Seamus Heaney Centre and all that is best in poetry and writing.
“It is also a wonderful occasion for our alumni and supporters to catch up with Queen’s, enjoy readings from some of our leading staff from the Centre, meet old friends and celebrate the life of the University’s most famous son, Seamus Heaney.
“That said, it is certain to be a very popular event so I would encourage anyone interested in attending to get in touch as soon as possible.”
An international centre of excellence, the Seamus Heaney Centre is rooted in the community and is a focal point for creativity in the field of literature. Attached to the School of Arts, English and Languages at Queen’s, it brings together the traditions of poetry, writing and criticism, and has been part of the literary fabric of Belfast 2004.
For the last 60 years, Queen’s has been known for creative writing in all its forms on the island of Ireland, is a globally-recognised venue for literary events and research and a centre for a generation of new writers.
The Centre is named in honour of Queen’s English Language and Literature graduate, former member of University staff and Honorary Graduate Seamus Heaney, who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995, and who published his first volume of work Death of a Naturalist (1966) while at the University.
To submit graduate news items, or for general enquiries about this story, please contact Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office, Queen's University Belfast or telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.
Image credits: (Main image/top): room at Queen's believed to have been used as study by Seamus Heaney and as setting for portraits by (bottom left) Tai-Shan Schierenberg (2004), oil on canvas and, (bottom right), by Edward McGuire (1974) © National Museums Northern Ireland.
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