Sligo's literary legacyCounty Sligo is more than a scenic gem—it’s a muse for some of Ireland’s greatest literary voices. Known as “Yeats Country,” this region has inspired poetry, prose, and drama that echo across generations.
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Discover Yeats
William Butler & Jack Butler Yeats
Sligo was the spiritual home of W.B.Yeats, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. The county’s lakes, mountains, and folklore shaped his imagination and feature prominently in his work.
His brother, Jack Butler Yeats, was a renowned painter and writer whose work also drew heavily from Sligo’s people and places. Together, the Yeats brothers helped shape Ireland’s cultural identity.
His brother, Jack Butler Yeats, was a renowned painter and writer whose work also drew heavily from Sligo’s people and places. Together, the Yeats brothers helped shape Ireland’s cultural identity.
The Yeats Society
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For sixty years, the yeats society has celebrated the work and life of the famous poet and his family. The Yeats memorial building at Hyde bridge is the headquarters of the society and has opened it's doors as a hub to literary culture and arts. Many book launches, cultural events, poetry readings have happened over the years within this fabulous building.
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The Yeats Summer School
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The Yeats Summer school is an annual event which all started back in 1959. The purpose of the summer school is to provide lectures, trips, life music, theatre, poetry workshops and much more , all within the beautiful county of Sligo.
The programme sees visitors travelling from all around the world to sample the literary delights the school has on offer. |
WB Yeats Grave
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Drumcliff graveyard is the final resting place of WB Yeats. Within the graveyard is a simple headstone with the inscription "cast a cold eye on life, on death, horseman pass by" . The graveyard also has the remains of a round tower and a high cross which were constructed in the 11th century. Have a closer look at the high cross and see if you can find the camel. Also venture into the fabulous church where the wooden balconies are a beautiful feature against the natural stone. Also, when you enter the church, look at the corner stones on your right. One of the corner stones is a piece of a high cross. A tearoom provides refreshments for the many visitors.
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WB Yeats Statue
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The statue was created in 1989 by sculptor Ronan Gillespie to mark the 50th anniversary of his death. The statue was unveiled by WB Yeats 's son. Looking closer, you will notice that the statue is engraved with some of Yeats's best known poems.
The statue can be found in Stephen Street in front of the Ulster bank. |
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Yeats Trail
The Yeats Trail ’links and interprets the most important sites in the County associated with the poet William Butler Yeats and his works. Long known as ‘Yeats’ Country’, Yeats himself referred to Sligo as the ‘Land of Hearts’ Desire’ and his love for the County is reflected in his poems, ...
The signposted ‘Yeats Trail’ touring route incorporating significant locations associated with the poet William Butler Yeats and his works. At each of these sites are unique artistic installation, a ‘Suite of Elements’.
The signposted ‘Yeats Trail’ touring route incorporating significant locations associated with the poet William Butler Yeats and his works. At each of these sites are unique artistic installation, a ‘Suite of Elements’.
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Lissadell House - The Yeats Gallery Exhibition
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When Lissadell House was built in the 1830's by Robert Gore-Booth, Yeats's great-grandfather was the rector of nearby Drumcliff. As a child, Yeats together with his brother would frequently visit Lissadell House to play cricket matches or enjoy horse riding, and as a young man he befriended the Gore-Booth sisters Constance and Eva.
The Yeats Gallery exhibition was officially opened in August 2010 by Canadian poet and songwriter Leonard Cohen |
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The legacy lives on
Sligo’s literary spirit continues to thrive with festivals, readings, and local authors contributing to Ireland’s vibrant storytelling tradition. It’s a place where the landscape itself seems to whisper poetry, inviting every visitor to become part of the story.
Many of these events can be found in our handy events calendar
Many of these events can be found in our handy events calendar
Local authors
Una Mannion has quickly become one of Ireland’s most compelling contemporary voices in fiction.
Una is also deeply involved in Sligo’s literary scene, teaching creative writing and contributing to festivals and cultural events throughout the region. Her work continues to shine a spotlight on Sligo as a place of artistic depth and storytelling brilliance.
Una is also deeply involved in Sligo’s literary scene, teaching creative writing and contributing to festivals and cultural events throughout the region. Her work continues to shine a spotlight on Sligo as a place of artistic depth and storytelling brilliance.
Sean O’Reilly – Sean O’Reilly is a critically acclaimed Irish writer whose work is deeply connected to Sligo’s literary scene. Though originally from Derry, he has become a key figure in the region’s creative community, regularly leading workshops and masterclasses at the Yeats Society Sligo.
Brian Leyden is a celebrated Irish writer whose work is deeply rooted in the landscapes and communities of the northwest, particularly Sligo and his native Arigna in County Roscommon. Though not originally from Sligo, Leyden has lived for many years on the Atlantic Coast of North Sligo, and his writing is closely tied to the region’s cultural and emotional terrain
Liber bookshop
Liber is a local independent bookshop located in the heart of Sligo town along Sligo's main shopping street.
The first thing you will notice walking past Liber is the ever changing window displays where the latest books on offer are being showcased in an array of wonderful displays.
Within the shop, there is a vast amount of books with emphasis on unusual, intelligent and topical selections of titles. But that's not all, at Liber, they also cherish the local artists of Sligo and surrounding areas, and it is here that you can find a huge range of local interest titles.
The first thing you will notice walking past Liber is the ever changing window displays where the latest books on offer are being showcased in an array of wonderful displays.
Within the shop, there is a vast amount of books with emphasis on unusual, intelligent and topical selections of titles. But that's not all, at Liber, they also cherish the local artists of Sligo and surrounding areas, and it is here that you can find a huge range of local interest titles.
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