Welcome to
Thoor Ballylee
Described by Seamus Heaney as the most important building in Ireland, this Hiberno-Norman tower, nestled on a river bank in Ballylee, near Gort in County Galway, is a place of history, poetry, and idyllic beauty.
Surrounded by lush landscape, the poet W. B. Yeats spent summers with his family here and was inspired to write some of his most beloved work making the tower his permanent symbol.
Latest Events
15th – 23rd Aug 2026
Hidden Ireland
3rd Oct 2026
An Evening of Songs with The Songbirds
Latest News
29th Mar 2026
Thoor Ballylee welcomes poets from three continents
14th Jul 2026
An Introduction to ‘Restless Objects’ by Timothy Emlyn Jones
19th Jun 2026
Shane Tivenan announced as this year’s Writer in Residence
3rd Jun 2026
Discover Thoor with new Yeats-Gregory Explorer shuttle bus
About The Yeats
Thoor Ballylee Society
The Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society aims to energize local and international supporters who care about literature and heritage, to foster a collaborative approach among the culture, tourism, business and academic communities, in order to deliver a world class cultural centre.
Help Preserve a Legacy
We rely on the generosity of friends, supporters, and enthusiasts like you to help maintain and protect the tower, its surroundings, and the vibrant programme of events, exhibitions, and educational activities we offer.