William Butler Yeats is recognised as one of the greatest poets of the English language; a prominence which was acknowledged by his confirmation as Nobel Prize winner for literature in 1923. His continuing impact on literature can be evidenced from his influence on subsequent poets which has guaranteed Yeats an honoured place in the canon of English literature.

Yeats's works have always been associated closely with Sligo county, the culture and landscape of which influenced him greatly during his formative years. This influence is evident throughout his career, providing a wealth of imagery, myth and folklore to his works which conjure images and references to Sligo and the surrounding region.

Since the Yeats Society was established in 1958, it has sought to service the needs of those interested in Yeats and to promote the Sligo region and its association with the poet's work. The Yeats Society Sligo operates from the Yeats Memorial Building, Sligo, on a voluntary basis.