We are delighted be hosting listening parties for a series of six special episodes of the New Writers, Short Stories programme in collaboration with BBC Radio Ulster. Twelve students from the Seamus Heaney Centre have had new stories produced in BBC Studios, and you are invited to join us for their debut.

The first episode goes out on Saturday 27th July at 1.30pm on BBC Radio Ulster, and every week thereafter until Saturday 31st August 2024. Coffee and tea will be available at reception from 1.15pm ahead of broadcast at 1.30pm. Episodes end at 2pm, but you are more than welcome to stay, chat, and explore our new gallery charting Heaney’s own development as a writer.

MA Creative Writing Student Claire Harrison shared her thoughts on the project:

‘It is thrilling to hear life breathed into characters and communities who have up to this point lived only in my imagination.’

‘I cannot wait to hear my short story making its way out into the world, and the full series celebrating all the fantastic tales from my fellow students.'

This project gives students a chance to share their work with a global audience, and for that audience to hear from fresh contemporary voices. This event is the first of many in the new Seamus Heaney Centre that will support new writers to tell their stories in new ways; join us in celebrating their work. 

Tune in over the coming weeks to hear… 

Sat 27 Jul at 1.30pm: 
Swimming Lessons for Butterflies by Mark Mullan (read by Seamus O’Hara)
Itchy Luke by Fiona Anderson (read by Emmet Doran)

Sat 3rd Aug at 1.30pm: 
The Emissary by Claire Harrison (read by Ruby Campbell)
Butcher Boy by Connor Donahue (read by Matthew Forsythe)

Sat 10th Aug at 1.30pm: 
Fiona Lightbody Is Up And At It by Julie-May Noteman (read by Julie-May Noteman)
Muscling In by Sinéad Hoben (read by Cillian Lenaghan)

Sat 17th Aug at 1.30pm: 
Wee Buns by Elaine Bullock (read by Jo Donnelly)
The Sky is Filled With Stars by Margaret Rowe (read by Carol Moore)

Sat 24th Aug at 1.30pm: 
Hector’s House by David Higgins (read by Shaun Blaney)
Move by Melissa McPhillips (read by Clodagh Casey)

Sat 31st Aug at 1.30pm: 
Damaged Not Broken by Jasmin Awoodun (read by Lisa Dwyer Hogg)
Crossing Bridges by Rebecca Sharp (read by Finnian Garbutt)