WELCOME to the Award Winning Laurel Villa Guest House

You have found boutique 4 STAR guesthouse accommodation for business and/or leisure in the perfect location – Magherafelt Town Centre.

Dating back to 1873, Laurel Villa offers excellent accommodation, great food, and personal service – all at very affordable rates.

We provide specialist facilities and services for people interested in ancestry/family history research and also for those interested in Seamus Heaney.

We are the No 1 choice for fans of poet Seamus Heaney so it is the ideal place to stay for those visiting the Seamus Heaney HomePlace Visitor Centre in Bellaghy, just a 10-minute drive away.

Our unique Seamus Heaney poetry collection and our Tourism NI certified 5 STAR guided tour of Heaney Country has made this Magherafelt accommodation a haven for Seamus Heaney fans from all over the world.

There’s only one place for Heaney fans: Laurel Villa in Magherafelt!

"And did those feet: 10 walks inspired by famous poets" | The Guardian
Adrian Dunbar at Laurel Villa

“Wonderful to spend time in a house full of words”

Award Winning Novelist Roddy Doyle

“A house of Heaney treasures”

Christoher Reid, editor of 'The Letters of Seamus Heaney'

Laurel Villa is unique among the range of accommodation providers in the Magherafelt/Castledawson/Bellaghy areas because of its direct association with the late poet Seamus Heaney and because of its owners’ authentic and longstanding interest in the poet and his work – a passion that continues to this day. The Nobel poet once did a special poetry reading here.

“Thank you for the hospitality you have provided for poets and poetry – and the people who are interested in poets and poetry” – Seamus Heaney

Guest Accommodation

4 STAR (Excellent) RATING BY TOURISM NI

Beautifully decorated, warm and comfy, with art and poetry in every one, you can take your pick of which might best feed your soul. With hospitality such as this, and knowledge and passion to back it up, I am not surprised that Heaney gave a poetry reading here not so long ago. He always has a great instinct for the real thing when he sees it.” Catherine Mack in the Irish Times Travel Section
Catherine Mack in the Irish Times Travel Section

Trace Your Roots

FAMILY RESEARCH  |  FAMILY HISTORY TOURS

Ancient Proverb: “To forget one’s ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without root.”

Visitors have been coming to Laurel Villa since the 1960’s in search of their Magherafelt and Northern Ireland ancestral roots. With our assistance, a great many of them have found their ancestral home and have been able to meet their distant cousins. Our superb 4 Star accommodation in the heart of N Ireland is an ideal base for finding that elusive Irish ancestor. You can also take a 5 Star family history tour designed especially for you!

Discover Seamus Heaney

SEAMUS HEANEY COUNTRY TOURS FROM LAUREL VILLA

Our bespoke half-day tour explores Seamus Heaney’s home ground, visiting many of the places that inspired/influenced his work. Your specialist Heaney guide is local man Eugene Kielt, a Blue Badge guide with over 25 years of experience.

Guided Tour

Eugene Kielt, TNI 5 Star Guide

Family History

Trace Your Roots

Seamus Heaney

At Laurel Villa