Where are some good places to soak up Northern Ireland's rich literary heritage?

Northern Ireland is a land of living stories. Here, many great writers have been inspired by their surroundings to create some of literatures most enduring locations. And visiting their real-world counterparts, it’s easy to see why.

Let’s start in Belfast. Pull on those hiking boots and start climbing Cave Hill. It’s here that Jonathan Swift found sights that would influence his epic story, Gulliver’s Travels. When he was young, Swift imagined the rocky outcrop that overlooks the city, known locally as Napoleon’s Nose, as a sleeping giant. This lasting image would go on serve as the inspiration behind the character of Gulliver himself.



Descend into the city, then, and visit the red brick promenades and tree-lined courtyards of Queen’s University Belfast. This is where Seamus Heaney, Poet Laureate and Nobel Prize winner, studied and taught his craft. Not far away, the Seamus Heaney Homeplace in County Londonderry provides an insight into the life and inspiration behind some of his most famous works.

Finally, in to the mountains – the Mourne Mountains to be exact – in County Down. These served as the inspiration for Belfast-man CS Lewis’ legendary fantasy world, Narnia. Looking out over the tranquil Carlingford Lough, Lewis drew his inspiration for the world of Aslan and the Pevensie children – he felt that “at any moment a giant might raise his head over the next ridge.” When you’re in the Mournes, surrounded by snow and looking out over the misty valleys of Northern Ireland, you can easily imagine the White Witch rearing her head, ready to tempt you with Turkish delight…

The Harrison Chambers of Distinction Belfast are restored, landmark Victorian merchants’ residences dating from 1879. Designed to serve the culturally curious travellers we are located near the Lyric theatre, Queens Film theatre, the Grand Opera house, Crescent Arts Centre and just opposite Botanic gardens.


 Each of the 16 rooms is themed after a famous literary or creative figure connected to Belfast.  Eccentric curios and surprises await to delight -- every bedroom has its own story and distinct personality. No one stay is ever the same! 

If you are travelling to the North West don't miss the opportunity to travel in the footsteps of John Steinbeck who stayed in Derry-Londonderry in 1953 whilst visiting his maternal ancestral home at Mulkeeragh near Ballykelly. You can read all about the trip in an article Steinbeck wrote for Collier's Magazine on his return. William Makepeace Thackeray also visited in 1842, writing the poem "Peg of Limavaddy" (sic) about a barmaid he met there whilst travelling from the Giant's Causeway to Derry-Londonderry.  

Hi, it was remiss of me not to mention the War Poet, Frances Ledwidge who was based at Ebrington Barracks in the City during WWI . Whilst based here he stayed at Government House, on the Old Letterkenny Road. He had a writing room there where he possibly completed some of his later poetry. Unfortunately Frances Ledwidge was Killed in Action at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, he was 29 years old.

Whilst Government House is not accessible to the public, Ebrington Barracks is a public space and can be visited whilst you are in the City.

Later this year www.theebringtonhotel.com will open on that site, so you can stay in the place where he was based or for more information on Ledwidge, please visit www.francisledwidge.com.