This study morning will consider Seamus Heaney’s response to the Troubles. Keeping in mind some of his exemplars who also wrote under political pressures – such as W B Yeats and contemporary East European poets – the session will focus on three of Heaney’s volumes. In North (1975), Heaney confronts home-grown atrocities through the metaphors of the ‘bog bodies’ of Denmark. Field Work (1979) contains some important elegies for the lost, as well as Heaney’s lyric efforts to escape from the fray. Electric Light (2001) responds to Ceasefire by revealing “sifting lightness and small jittery promise” in a series of mesmerising lyrics.

Consisting of presentation, reading and discussion, this study morning is suitable for both new and experienced readers of Seamus Heaney’s work.

Admission: £10 inc. materials and coffee

Brunch deal: £22 served from 130pm