麻豆约拍

Conor McKay relives history and meets blacksmith Barney Devlin, the inspiration behind The Forge. They enter the cold room that Seamus would visit as a young boy, where he鈥檇 watch master craftsman Barney blow, hammer and mould the iron. The 93-year-old speaks of the great times enjoyed by the anvil, where everything from the fireplace to the household poker was made, and how times have changed. Barney鈥檚 niece Marion Devlin will also join the programme live from Laurel Villa Guest House.

The landscape that thrives around Bellaghy is bogland, rich ground that inspired Heaney鈥檚 most famous poem, Digging. Helen Mark joins Ballymacomb man Pat McErlane, his brothers schooled with Seamus and both their families cut turf on the same bog. Here Helen learns about the past generations who lived through the bog and why it was a spiritual place for Seamus.

The programme will come live from Laurel Villa Guest House, a place that celebrates the life and legacy of Seamus Heaney. The owners Eugene and Geraldine Kielt have displayed poems and pictures in tribute to the local man. Eugene also takes Anne Marie on a walk to Mossbawn, just outside Magherafelt, to Heaney鈥檚 childhood home.

Seamus Heaney went to Anahorish Primary School in the 1940s; this was his educational upbringing before he penned his way as a literary great. Anne Marie meets the P6 class during poetry recital; Mini-Heaney鈥檚 who seem to have old heads on young shoulders. Anahorish鈥檚 headmaster Danny Quinn and teacher Clare McGroggan will also tell Anne Marie why they鈥檙e so proud of the school鈥檚 connection to Heaney.