Yeats 2015 Events
William Butler Yeats is widely considered as one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of his birth, a year-long programme of cultural and artistic events took place worldwide. Find out more about these events at Yeatsday and Yeats 2015.
The Yeats anniversary was featured prominently during the 2015 St. Patrick's Day celebrations. During his visit to Washington, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny presented President Obama with the traditional shamrock in a Waterford Crystal bowl, engraved with the first five lines of the poem, “He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven”. Additionally, the St. Patrick’s Day gifts for the President and Vice-President, Joe Biden, whose love of Irish poetry is legendary, were specially commissioned handcrafted books of Yeats poetry.
13 June 2015 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Irish Nobel prize winning poet, William Butler Yeats (1865-1939).
The Embassy held a combined celebration for Yeats Day and Bloomsday, hosting a public daytime event as well an evening event and reception. Audiences at both events enjoyed specially selected music and readings from Yeats. In the evening, a short play was performed that brought the literary giants to life.
Overall, the events were a great success. The Embassy would like to convey a particular thanks to all of the speakers, musicians, and event participants who participated in the celebration.