A friend recommended that we take this tour as we are both interested in Seamus Heaney's poetry and our neice was visiting from the US. We could not have imagined the wonderful adventure upon which we were embarking. Eugene, our host and guide, greeted us in his wonderful literary bed and breakfast (Laurel Villa) in Magherafelt at 1pm on the Saturday afternoon and we left him, totally satisfied, 5 hours later after one of the most extensive and fascinating guided tours I have ever experienced. I prefer not to give too much away in advance for would-be visitors but let me just say that it is not even necessary to love poetry or Seamus Heaney to truly take full advantage of this finely documented and highly researched, yet refreshingly human trip through south county Derry and the land which inspired the award-winning Nobel prize laureate for literature. Eugene has that classic Irish sense of humour and of place and turns what could appear to be a dry academic exercise into something uplifting and evocative. Like Heaney's poetry itself, Eugene's tour looks at ordinary, everyday places and provides them with magic.

We- 4 friends - Seamus Heaney devotees, recently had the most interesting and wonderful 24 hours in Heaney Country, Magherafelt. Our B&B was Laural Villa. What a superb discovery! An attractive Victorian residence, stunning interior with poetical theme throughout. Our bedrooms were mini museums with cosy comfy beds and immaculate ensuites. Bright cheerful breakfast room enhanced with crisp linen tablecloths, silver teapots and entertaining fellow guests. Full Irish breakfast on hot plate was so palatable/ delicious and artistically presented. Plain/fruit scones hot from the oven outclassed the choice brown bread and toast. Geraldine, the bean-an-tí, is an excellent cook. After breakfast,Eugene, the fear-an-tí, a blue badge tour guide , entranced us as he led us from place to spot and spot to place, all well trodden by the young Heaney and the inspiration behind many of his earlier poems.. His first hand knowledge combined with passion and enthusiasm for Heaney was infectious and so enlightening. Meeting vivacious 93 year old Barney in The Forge was another high light, door open in welcome, big blazing fire in the hearth and fascinating retelling and reciting of the poem. Far too soon we had to leave for Derry, enriched, enthused and planning a return visit a s a p. This is a trip we highly recommend and are 100 % confident it will be a radiant page in one's memory book. IT IS OUTSTANDINGLY SPECIAL. Report by the two Annes, Marie & Kathleen.