# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Digging at 60: Archives Conference
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 11 Sep, 2026 at 09:00 am – Sat, 12 Sep, 2026 at 06:00 pm (+01:00)
- **Event Description**: Marking the 60th anniversary of Death of a Naturalist, we are hosting a conference to explore aspects of Heaney’s early career.About this EventWe are delighted to partner with the National Library of Ireland, Emory Rose Library, and Queen’s University’s Special Collections to host this two-day event Digging at 60: From the Archives.In 1966, Seamus Heaney published Death of a Naturalist, the collection that would launch his career and establish him firmly in the public eye as a poet of place whose local accents and autobiographical bent marked a new direction in twentieth century Irish poetry. In the same year, Heaney accepted a lectureship at his alma mater, Queen’s University Belfast, and made his first appearance on Ireland’s Late Late show, reading Blackberry Picking and gaining a mass audience thanks to the power of broadcast media.Few poets have received such close scholarly scrutiny during their lifetimes, and interest in Heaney’s work has not waned in the years since his passing. Many scholars interested in breaking new ground are now returning to archival sources to add context and glean further insight into his prolific career.To mark this anniversary the Seamus Heaney Centre, in partnership with the National Library of Ireland, Emory Rose Library, and Queen’s University’s Special Collections, are hosting Digging at 60: From the Archives to explore aspects of Heaney’s early career, first collection, and broadcast paratexts.We hope delegates will be able to attend as much of the programme as possible. Please register for each day that you can attend. For workshops, please register seperately or contact r.brown@qub.ac.ukConference attendance is free, but registration is essential.All events take place in the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's, 38-40 University Road, unless otherwise stated.Fri 11 Sep 9.30am - Coffee and registration - 10.00am - Welcome words by Glenn Patterson  10.15-11.30am - Panel 1: Re/Mediations chaired by Rebecca HunterJames Costello O’Reilly - ‘The Luminous Screen in the Corner: Seamus Heaney and Television, 1968 – 1972' Michael Kinsella - ‘William Wordsworth Lived Here: Inspiring Envy’ Bronagh McAtasney, Northern Ireland Screen – ‘Death of a Naturalist in Context’ - 11.45-1.00pm - Panel 2: Early Influences chaired by Dane HoltAdam Hanna - ‘Shaping Death of a Naturalist’ Stephen Ennis - ‘Uncollected Heaney’ Selma Mikalsen Kollstrøm - “‘My elevation, my fall’: Heaney’s Antaeus, Second Thoughts, and an Unpublished Draft” - 2.00-3.00pm - My Life in Archives Stephen Ennis (Harry Ransom Center, Austin) and Crónán Ó Doibhlin (National Libraries of Ireland, Dublin) - 3.15-4.30pm - Panel 3: Beyond the Pastoral chaired by James Costello O’ReillyRebecca Hunter - ‘The Ladder of the Future and the Past: Seamus Heaney, Environmental Memory, and Ecological Loss’ Michael Boyle - ‘Thresholds of the Flail and the Spade: Bellaghy and the View from Heaney’s Next Parish.’ Dickon Hall - ‘A Boy on the Train – Image and Text in the Work of T.P. Flanagan’ - 4.30-5.00pm - Introducing... Each Time the Song is Sung Collection highlight with Conall McCauley, SHC Project Assistant - 5.00pm - Drinks Reception 6.00pm - This is it, Yeah: an Archive Project A celebration for the Seamus Heaney Centre’s first album, with readings from the album and live music from Mark McCambridge, hosted by Glenn Patterson Sat 12 Sep 10.00am - Coffee and registration - 10.30am - Welcome words 10.45-11.15am - Introducing... Threshold Collection highlight with Patsy McCartan, Lyric Theatre Heritage Manager11.15-11.45am - Introducing... Something to Say exhibition Collection highlight with Ida Boardman, SHC Collections Assistant - 12.00-1.00pm - Keynote: Dr Rosie Lavan - 2.00-3.00pm - Something to Write Home About: producing poetry Anna Carragher, Catherine Gifford, and Michael Hewitt, chaired by Glenn Patterson - 3.00-4.30pm - Workshops: free, booking essential if conference delegates plan to attend either workshop, please contact r.brown@qub.ac.ukThe Alternative Archive: Zine Workshop, led by Marcella McSweeneyIn the Digital Film Archives, film/collage workshop, led by Vincent Kinnaird (Notasuch Films) and Conall McCauley - 4.30-5.30pm - Screening of Hammond: Duais An Dorais Queen's Film TheatreA special screening in the Queen’s Film Theatre, presented in association with DoubleBand. Those registered for this day of the conference can attend the screening for free. Others can purchase a ticket via the QFT website.We encourage participants and attendees to visit our conference partner sites and sources as listed below.National Library of Ireland, Dublin (Seamus Heaney Literary Papers – including early drafts of all his poetry collections, and some of his prose writing). ContactCrónánÓ Doibhlin, codoibhlin@nli.ie.Emory University, Georgia, US (letters, poems, recordings of lectures, physical artefacts)Queen's University, Belfast - Seamus Heaney Centre (Broadcast archive of media appearances TV and Radio). Contact Patricia Malone, p.malone@qub.ac.uk.Queen's University, Belfast - Special Collections (Beowulf Manuscript collections and student notebooks). Contact Laura Caskey, l.caskey@qub.ac.uk.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/belfast/digging-at-60-archives-conference/100001997554499280
- **Event Categories**: fitness, Art, Entertainment, literary-art, Workshops, Theatre, Music, Exhibitions
- **Slot details of has slots**: 
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 0
- **Event Highlights**: 
  - Duration: 9 hours
  - Location: The Seamus Heaney Centre
  - Languages: English

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: GBP

## Event venue details

- **city**: Belfast
- **state**: NI
- **country**: United Kingdom
- **location**: The Seamus Heaney Centre
- **lat**: 54.5864948
- **long**: -5.9358973
- **full address**: The Seamus Heaney Centre, 38-40 University Road, Belfast, United Kingdom

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Digging at 60: Archives Conference
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/cc54b25f6837f3d52346b77f3236b44b9135dae943702fc2d705c26e749a1d75-rimg-w1200-h600-dc68a888-gmir.jpg?v=1786477794

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Digging at 60: Archives Conference being held?
  - **A:** Digging at 60: Archives Conference takes place on Fri, 11 Sep, 2026 at 09:00 am to Sat, 12 Sep, 2026 at 06:00 pm at The Seamus Heaney Centre, 38-40 University Road, Belfast, United Kingdom.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Digging at 60: Archives Conference?
  - **A:** Digging at 60: Archives Conference is organized by School of Arts, English and Languages.

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