yay.ie

I’m delighted to see that the National Library has announced their Summer Wreath programme, celebrating William Butler Yeats and including Hugo Hamilton, Fergal Keane and Andrea Corr in a celebration from June 19 to 23.

I fully credit Mike Scott and the Waterboys and The Abbey Theatre for my love of WB Yeats. An Appointment with Mr Yeats was one of the best concerts and tributes I’ve ever seen and I’ve revelled in the National Library’s collections and exhibitions on him since. Even now three or four collections of his poetry adorn my bookshelves.

Summer’s Wreath is their collection of music and spoken word events to commemorate and celebrate Yeats’s writing. Taking place throughout June many are free to attend. You can find the full programme here or download it here.

William Butler Yeats was born on June 13th 1865 into one of Ireland’s great artistic families. He went on to become a major poet of the 20th century and to exert a profound influence on world literature

The fifth Summer’s Wreath programme, which will take place in June, will celebrate the creativity and legacy of William Butler Yeats. Many Irish and international guests will grace us with their personal reflections and readings from Yeats’s poetry, plays and stories. We look forward to welcoming you to share in thisuniversal love of Yeats’s creativity.

One event that looks great is:

Saturday, June 18th 2011 at 8pm – Admission €10
Yeats in Words and Music – Reading by Andrea Corr and music by Liam O’Flynn, uilleann pipes

Their lunchtime events – Reading and Reflections are all at 1pm for 30 minutes with free admission and no booking required:

• Thursday, June 9 – Fergal Keane
• Monday, June 13 – Tamasin Day-Lewis
• Wednesday, June 15 – Hugo Hamilton
• Thursday, June 23 – Kate O’Toole

There’s also a one day immersion course:

THE POETRY OF W.B. YEATS: MEMORIES & PARAGONS
Friday, June 24 9.30am – 5.30pm

Designed for the interested amateur as well as for lovers of poetry and literature in general, this year’s immersion course takes a fresh look at Yeats’s poetry. Beginning with an overview of Yeats’s biography, followed by an introduction to the reading techniques associated with poetry, this day-long course will discuss thirteen of Yeats’s poems.

If you can make it along to any of the events – regardless of your knowledge of Yeats, please do. Even seeing the National Library – something too few too – is a treat.

You’ll also find them massively entertaining and informative on Flickr, on Facebook and on Twitter.