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Yeats at One
Poets and passers-by, customers and children, diners and dads – in 2015 everyone is welcome at Hargadon’s pub on O’Connell Street in Sligo to read a Yeats poem of their choice to honour his 150th birthday. At 1pm every day and 6pm on a Sunday, in one of Sligo’s oldest pubs, the Nobel poet WB Yeats will be celebrated with a reading of one of his many beloved poems.
Come and join us and read your favourite poem as part of this year-long event. Runs daily excluding Christmas Day and Good Friday.
To book your Reading, contact Joe Grogan at 071 9153709
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The Model
One of Ireland’s leading contemporary arts centres, this award-winning building is home to the impressive Niland Collection of art, one of the most notable collections in Ireland and featuring works by John and Jack B. Yeats, Estella Solomons, Paul Henry and Louis Le LeBrocquy among others.
Address: The Mall, Sligo, Ireland
Tel: +353 71 914 14 05
Web: www.themodel.ie
Opening Hours:
Tues – Sat 10am to 5.30pm
Sun 12noon – 5pm
Closed Mondays
Entry Fee: Free
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Sligo Yeats Memorial Building
This beautiful 19th century red brick building is the home of the Yeats Society. A permanent Exhibition is running that comprises of a large photographic and static panel display and includes the esteemed Carey film, “Yeats Country” as well as the film, “Cast a Cold Eye”, a view of WB Yeats through the eyes of his son and daughter, Michael and Anne, with comments by Seamus Heaney and other literary figures.
Address: Hyde Bride, Sligo, Ireland
Tel: +353 71 9145847
Web: www.yeats-sligo.com
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri 10am-5.00pm
Sat 10am – 2pm
Entry Fee: Free
4
Drumcliffe Graveyard
The final resting place of WB Yeats at Drumcliffe is worth a visit. At the foot of the iconic Benbulben mountain, the graveyard has the remains of a round tower and a high cross constructed in the 11th when there was a Christian monastery on site. Drumcliffe Tea House and Craft Shop presents a selection of Yeats and Irish Interest Books to browse through, complimented by a distinctive selection of original quality Crafts.
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Sligo County Museum
The Yeats Room contains footage of W.B Yeats’ funeral cortege as well as various manuscripts, photographs, letters and newspaper cuttings associated with the local poet William Butler Yeats including a copy of his 1923 Nobel Prize winning medal.
Address: The Mall, Sligo, Ireland
Tel: +353 71 9111679
Web: www.sligococo.ie/Services/CountyLibrary/CountyMuseum/
Opening Hours:
Oct – April 9.30am to 12.30pm Tues to Sat
May – Sept 9.30am – 12.30pm & 2pm to 4.50pm Tues to Sat
Entry Fee: Free
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Northwest Adventure Tours – W.B. Yeats Cycle and Walking Guided tour
2015 bespoke guided cycling tours of Yeats country
2015 bespoke guided cycling tours of Yeats country3 full days guided touring which will encompass two days cycling and one day walking with all equipment and transfers included. Accommodation also available.
Price: €50pp x 1 day or €135pp x 3 days (min 4 people)
Day 1
Distance: 18km (3-4 hours)
Highlights:
- Incredible panoramic views of Yeats County
- Glencar Waterfall
- Yeats Grave
- Round Tower
- Lissadell House
We will begin at the foot of the Dartry Mountains and cycle along quiet country roads enjoying the views of Glencar Valley, Copes Mountain, Kings Gully and Benbulben.
Our first stop is the beautiful Glencar Lake situated in the picturesque Glencar Valley. From here we have a short walk to Glencar Waterfall. This impressive waterfall drops from huge cliffs to a pool below. This waterfall was an inspiration to WB Yeats and is mentioned is his famous poem ‘The Stolen Child’.
Where the wandering water gushes
From the hills above Glen-Car,
In pools among the rushes
That scarce could bathe a star
This short woodland walk is truly breathtaking.
On our way to our next stop we will have views of Irelands highest waterfall ‘Sruth in Aghaidh An Ard’. This means stream against the height and is named this because in west winds the waterfall blows back up the cliff. It is a sight to behold!
Our next stop is Drumcliffe Village where we will visit St. Columbas Church, a Celtic High Cross, A Round Tower and last but not least the Grave of the William Butler Yeats. We will take a break here for a bite to eat in the lovely Drumcliff Tea Rooms.
Next up is a cycle down the coast to Lissadell House and Gardens. This is a large 19th century Neo-Classical House and gardens overlooking Sligo Bay.
Lissadell was the childhood home of Irish revolutionary Constance Gore-Booth and was also a holiday retreat for the world renowned poet William Butler Yeats. Yeats made the house famous with his poetry.
“In Memory of Eva Gore-Booth and Con Markiewicz”
The light of evening, Lissadell,
Great windows open to the south,
Two girls in silk kimonos, both
Beautiful, one a gazelle.
Day 2
Distance: 25km (3-4 hours)
Highlights:
- Parkes Castle
- Creevylea Abbey
- Lake Isle of Inishfree
- Sleuth Wood
- Dooney Rock
- Lough Gill
- Breathtaking Scenery
First stop is Parkes Castle which sits on the edge of Lough Gill. This early 17th century plantation castle has been restored using Irish oak and traditional craftsmanship. From here we cycle along the winding lakeshore roads below the Sleeping Giant Mountain and on to Dromahair Village. We will have a stop here for a bite to eat before visiting Creevylea Abbey on the banks of the River Bonet. The ruins comprise of nave, choir, south transept and a bell tower. The ruins also contain some amazing stone carvings.
Next we arise and go through farmland and forest trails to the spectacular Lake Isle of Inishfree made famous in Yeats renowned poem. After this we visit the scenic Slish (sleuth) wood and Dooney Rock for more exploring and to enjoy the views over the Wonderful County.
Day 3
Duration: 2 hours walking
Highlights:
- Jack B. Yeats Exhibition
- The Yeats Photographic Exhibition
- The Yeats Monument
- Sligo Museum
- The Garavogue River Trail
This is a day of walking with visit a Jack B. Yeats Exhibition in the amazing model building, the Yeats Building and its Yeats Photographic Exhibition, Yeats Statue, the Yeats room in Sligo Museum and also a visit to some scenic parts of the Garavogue River on the outskirts of the town.
Please Note:
- Routes can be made longer or shorter on request.
- Various levels of Accommodation can be booked on request as an optional extra.
- Lunch is not included in price.
- Poetry Recital and Talk from Yeats Expert available for groups on request.
Booking:
Northwest Adventure Tours
Web: www.northwestadventuretours.ie
Phone: 00353 (0) 871259594 or 00353 (0) 860229952
Email: northwestadventuretours@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/northwestadventuretours
Twitter: twitter.com/nwadventuretour