Out To Lunch 2026 Early-bird

Hiraeth: Yearning for Home? With Michael Smiley and Miranda Sawyer

Hiraeth: Yearning for Home? With Michael Smiley and Miranda Sawyer

The Black Box

Sunday 11 January, 2.00pm

Doors 1.30pm | Unreserved seating

£12.00

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Hiraeth is a Welsh word with no English equivalent. It’s a sense of loss or separation from your home or the sense of your spiritual being. The yearning of the émigré.

Michael Smiley is a Northern Irish actor who has come a long way since his days as a stand-up comedian in Belfast. His extensive filmography includes performances in Alien: Earth, Rogue One, Censor, The Lobster, Bookworm with Elijah Wood. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer & The Other Boleyn Girl,

Michael is perhaps best known for his acclaimed performance as Roger in Sharon Horgan’s award winning Apple series, Bad Sisters and Gal in Ben Wheatley’s Kill List (for which he won Best Supporting Actor award at the 2011 British Independent Film Awards) and has previously appeared in three more of Ben Wheatley’s films; Down Terrace, A Field in England and Free Fire.

He came to prominence playing Tyres O’Flaherty in cult show Spaced and his television credits include Luther, Black Mirror, Ripper Street, Bloodlands, Utopia, Doctor Who and the latest series of Blue Lights

As well as acting, Michael has written and presented two series for BBC Northern Ireland ― Something To Ride Home About ― focusing on his love of cycling, and he has recently written, directed and produced his first short film, La Petite Mort, which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh. He is currently completing his first screenplay.

Michael is married to Miranda Sawyer, the acclaimed, award-winning writer and journalist. Miranda is the author of Uncommon People: Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs; Out of Time: Midlife if You Still Think You’re Young; and Park and Ride.

For this Out to Lunch special event Miranda will be interviewing Michael about his journey, the idea of ‘hiraeth’ and the notion of what and where is home.

Tickets also available from:
Visit Belfast | 028 90 246 609
9 Donegall Square North - Open 7 days a Week

Out To Lunch 2026 Early-bird

John Prine’s German Afternoons: Presented by All the Best

John Prine’s German Afternoons: Presented by All the Best

The Black Box

Saturday 10 January, 2.00pm 

Historic Pubs of the Cathedral Quarter

Historic Pubs of the Cathedral Quarter

Leaves Kellys Cellars

Sunday 11 and Sunday 25 January, 2.00pm

Hiraeth: Yearning for Home? With Michael Smiley and Miranda Sawyer

Hiraeth: Yearning for Home? With Michael Smiley and Miranda Sawyer

The Black Box

Sunday 11 January, 2.00pm

Work is the Curse of the Drinking Classes

Work is the Curse of the Drinking Classes

The Black Box

Tuesday 13 January, 1.00pm and 8.00pm

Simply Streisand

Simply Streisand

The Black Box

Wednesday 14 January, 1.00pm, Thursday 15 January, 1.00pm

‘A Little Cloud’ and ‘Counterparts’ from Joyce’s Dubliners

‘A Little Cloud’ and ‘Counterparts’ from Joyce’s Dubliners

The Black Box

Wednesday 14 January, 8.00pm

Hal Cruttenden: Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It

Hal Cruttenden: Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It

The Black Box

Thursday 15 January, 8.00pm

Arts Across Belfast Bus Tour

Arts Across Belfast Bus Tour

Leaves Black Box

Sunday 18 January, 10.25am - 2.00pm 

Rosie Wilby: The Breakup Monologues Live Podcast

Rosie Wilby: The Breakup Monologues Live Podcast

The Black Box

Sunday 18 January, 8.00pm

Don Letts DJ Set + Explosion Sound System Selectors

Superfly Funk and Soul & CQAF present

Don Letts DJ Set + Explosion Sound System Selectors

Ulster Sports Club 

Saturday 24 January, 10.30pm 

The Darkling Air with special guests Arco String Quartet

The Darkling Air with special guests Arco String Quartet

The Black Box

Sunday 25 January, 2.00pm 

‘Political Girl – Life and Fate in Russia’ Maria Alyokhina

‘Political Girl – Life and Fate in Russia’ Maria Alyokhina

The Black Box

Thursday 29 January, 8.00pm 

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The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival and Out To Lunch are annual festivals of music, comedy, theatre, art and literature which take place in January and May in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

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Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival / Out To Lunch Arts Festival
Unit 8
Northern Whig House
Bridge Street
Belfast
BT1 1LU