Welcome to Yeats Society Sligo

Celebrating the life and works of WB Yeats and his talented family.

Celebrating the Centenary of WB Yeats’ Nobel Prize

One hundred years ago, on November 14th, WB Yeats became the first Irish person to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.

As part of a wider programme to mark the Centenary, Yeats Society Sligo is delighted to host My Numberless Dreams… My Passionate Rhyme, a three-day poetry event taking place in Sligo between November 30th and December 2nd.

The Yeats Building

The Yeats Building in the heart of Sligo is a hub for literary culture and the arts.

We have a permanent Yeats exhibition and the Hyde Bridge Gallery on the first floor offers a range of contemporary exhibitions. In 2024, we will offer the 65th Yeats International Summer School – the longest-running literary summer school in the world.

Visit Us

The Poetic Mind of WB Yeats exhibition is open to visitors from 11.00am to 3.00pm, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. If we have to close at other times, we will give as much notice as possible on our website and social media.

Yeats International Summer School

The 65th Yeats International Summer School will take place on July 11 – July 19 2024. This engaging event integrates an academic programme of lectures and seminars with poetry, tours, music, readings and cultural events.

Hyde Bridge Gallery

Hyde Bridge Gallery is open to visitors from 10.00am to 3.00pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays. It welcomes new and established artists. Entry to the gallery is free and all exhibited artworks are are available for purchase.

Weddings and Venue Hire

The original Edwardian banking hall is the perfect venue for an intimate wedding ceremony. The Yeats Building is also available to hire for cultural events and public meetings.

Explore Our Tours & Experiences

All of our Tours & Experiences can tailored to individuals, small or large groups.

Tours

Our tours stand out because of the personal touch of our guides who are knowledgeable and able to connect with visitors.

Yeats afternoon tea with sandwiches, pastries and cakes

Poetry Afternoon Tea

Your choice of poetry, melt in the mouth sandwiches, fresh home-made sponge cake, apple tartlets, scones, served with a choice of teas (we can make coffee too).

The Library Experience

Book our beautiful cosy library for a brainstorm session, a confidential meeting, hosting interviews, practising a speech, a board meeting, online call, a workshop.

Celebrating the Centenary of WB Yeats’ Nobel Prize

As part of the official Decade of Centenaries, local libraries across Ireland will share the news, and the story.

Exhibition Open Call

The closing date for applications is Monday 4th December 2023

The Nora Niland lecture 2023

The Nora Niland lecture is hosted annually by Yeats Society Sligo as part of the Yeats Day celebrations, on the poet's birthday, June 13th.

Purgatory by WB Yeats

Yeats Society Sligo would like to thank the crew and cast of Purgatory for the great performance at the Old Rectory on September 2023.

Sara Berkeley Wins Inaugural Yeats Society Poetry Prize for The Last Cold Day

The winner of the inaugural Poetry Prize was announced at the opening of this year’s Yeats International Summer School on Thursday July 27th July.

Centenary of the award of the Nobel Prize in Literature

Tourism Minister Catherine Martin launched our Events Programme to mark the Centenary of the award of the Nobel Prize in Literature, to WB Yeats in 1923.

Yeats Day Festival 2023

9th - 13th June. Yeats Day celebrations this year marked William Butler Yeats 158th birthday – and the Centenary of his Nobel Prize award, made in 1923.
Suddenly I saw the cold and rook-delighting heaven
That seemed as though ice burned and was but the more ice,
And thereupon imagination and heart were driven
So wild that every casual thought of that and this
Vanished, and left but memories, that should be out of season
With the hot blood of youth, of love crossed long ago;

from The Cold Heaven

Read about our visitors’ experiences

The Yeats Summer School brings together such a diverse group of Yeats lovers in the very setting which inspired the work, with the chance to make connections, learn about Ireland, a chance to hear readings from the best poets in Ireland and the sea, the gushing waterfalls, magnificent Ben Bulben – it’s just a magical experience.

I travelled from Australia especially to see Sligo and Yeats. It’s amazing, better than I imagined and you here at the Yeats Society have helped to make it such a special visit. Thank you.

Of all the time I have spent reading and studying Yeats and to think I’m now here in Sligo with you. I’m overwhelmed. Thanks so much.

To create a safe space to be creative – great examples, great exercises and Victoria was such a generous soul, kind and allowed people to share their work.

Opening Times

The Poetic Mind of WB Yeats Exhibition

March 2024:
Friday & Saturday 11am-3pm

April – May 2024:
Thursday – Saturday 11am-3pm

June – September 2024:
Wednesday – Saturday 11am-3pm

September – December 2024:
Thursday – Saturday 11am-3pm

Hyde Bridge Gallery:
April – December:
Tuesday – Saturday 10am-3pm

Entry to Hyde Bridge Gallery is free.

Note: Please be aware that our exhibition space is occasionally closed temporarily for events. We will attempt to notify visitors in due course and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Group Bookings

We work with large operators who bring several groups throughout the year and smaller operators who may have one or two tours visiting Ireland. We aim to give everyone the same level of personal attention.

Advance booking required.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements.