Yeats Day Festival, June 13th-16th 2019

Yeats Day (June 13) celebrates the birthday of Ireland's national poet, WB Yeats. In Sligo, Yeats' spiritual home, his festival promotes culture and creativity through poetry, drama, talks, a boat trip (and birthday cake!!). Events will take place around Sligo and at the Yeats Building. In 2019, to celebrate 60 years of the Yeats International Summer School, award-winning Irish artist Conor McNally has installed a new sculptural series, White Birds Fly, above the Yeats Building at Hyde Bridge in Sligo town. White Birds Fly will be officially launched on Yeats Day, June 13 (WB Yeats 154th birthday) and will remain on display until September 27.

During 1929, WB Yeats stayed at Thoor Ballylee near Gort in County Galway (his summer home since 1919) for the last time. This is the location for this wonderful video of When You Are Old - WB Yeats by Ciaran Cannon:

#YeatsDaySligo Challenge

Love Yeats? Join in the worldwide reading of Yeats poetry in celebration of Yeats Day. Share your favourite poem, reading or quote on social media using the hashtag #YeatsDaySligo.

VISIT: The Yeats Building SLIGO

ANCESTRY: William Butler Yeats

READ MORE: Lisadell House SLIGO