About Us
Preserving Yeats’s Legacy
Preserving Yeats’s Legacy – Managed by the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society
At the heart of Thoor Ballylee is a dedicated group of individuals who work tirelessly to maintain and protect this iconic site and its rich literary history. The Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society is a non-profit organization that oversees the conservation, management, and cultural programming of the tower and surrounding property.
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.
Our mission
- Deliver a world-class cultural centre, café and meeting area in Thoor Ballylee.
- Develop Thoor Ballylee and the surrounding area as a sustainable cultural destination close to the Wild Atlantic Away.
- Raise awareness and greater understanding of the lives of W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory and their impact on the social and cultural life of the area and the nation.
- Create an international literary education program that promotes the study of Yeats as well as Irish literature and culture.
- Involve the local community in the project through a shared sense of ownership, encouraging active participation in the process.
- Encourage the development of sustainable business initiatives that can co-exist with the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Cultural Centre
Governance and Structure
The Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society is governed by a Board of Directors who are committed to the ongoing care and development of the tower, as well as to supporting our mission to promote Irish literature, heritage, and the arts. The board is made up of passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, including literature, heritage conservation, education, local history, and the arts.
Alongside the board, the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Committee plays a vital role in the day-to-day operations, event planning, and strategic initiatives of the site. This committee is made up of volunteers who generously dedicate their time and expertise to ensuring that the legacy of W.B. Yeats continues to thrive.
Our Board & Committee
The Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society and its committee members are deeply committed to keeping Yeats’s memory alive while fostering a love of Irish culture and poetry.
Adam Stoneman
Anna O’Donnell
Rena McAllen
Marion Cox
Peggy Monahan
Lelia Doolan
Aidan Eames
Colm Farrell
Dr Fidelma Healy Eames
Dr Adrian Paterson
Eugene Murphy
Stephen Forde
Collaboration and Community Involvement
The Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society works closely with local authorities, cultural organisations, and educational institutions to ensure that the tower remains a living part of the Galway community. We are proud to collaborate with local artists, writers, and performers, offering them a platform to share their work and engage with visitors.
In addition, we are committed to being a part of the broader literary and cultural landscape of Ireland, participating in national and international events that promote Irish heritage, poetry, and the arts.
Image: Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society members Angela Guillemet, Ronnie O’Gorman, Senator Fidelma Healy Eames and Adrian Paterson with a pristine National Library of Ireland copy of Yeats’s The Tower (1928) at the Yeats 2015 launch with Senator Susan O’Keeffe and Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys
Get Involved
The Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society is always looking for passionate individuals to join our committee, contribute their expertise, or volunteer at the site. If you are interested in getting involved, whether through volunteer work, supporting events, or contributing to our mission, please contact us for more information.
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.