Reading Seamus Heaney: The Translations of ... Beowulf

In September 2026 we will be looking at Beowulf. Our popular series Reading Seamus Heaney returns, and this time we're looking at Heaney's translation of the classical text Beowulf. Reading Seamus Heaney: The Translations of Seamus Heaney is the second season of public talks and group discussions that will look at major works of translation by Seamus Heaney between the early 1980s and the 2010s. Beginning with an introductory overview, we will look at a poem or play each month, guided by Seamus Heaney Centre staff, visiting writers and other guest speakers. The Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s holds a unique archive of broadcast materials, both television and radio, relating to the poet’s life and work. These recordings will be used to illuminate the discussions and provide context for the work we will be reading. Special Collections holds a wide range of notebooks and manuscripts, which will also play a role in our discussions of poetic development and writing technique. With no specialist knowledge of poetry required, you can expect to acquire an understanding of Heaney’s idea that he wanted to ‘take the English lyric and make it eat stuff that it has never eaten before.’