Visitors who have time to spare and are looking for something to do or if they want to get in from the rain can shelter in the William Butler Yeats exhibition that is currently running in the National Library of Ireland.
Located on Kildare Street in Dublin the exhibition is open from 9.30am to 7.45pm Monday to Wednesday, 9.30am to 4.45pm Thursday and Friday and at 9.30am to 12.45pm on Satursday. It is closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
The exhibition, which runs to the end of the year, houses over 2000 items and has the largest collection of Yeats manuscripts in the world. It also has other material which were donated by the poet’s wife, Mrs. George Yeats and his son, Michael.
Inside, the exhibition area is impressive. New and old embrace, as with the aid of modern technology Yeats’ work comes to life. Visual displays and touch screen computers are available for the visitor to use. One computer installation allows readers to digest the notes Yeats made about his love affair with Maud Gonne and the thoughts and feelings that inhibited Yeats at this time of his life.
William Butler Yeats was present at some of Irelands most decisive and historical moments such as the Easter Rising of 1916. Occasions like these affected Yeats and his work. Drafts from his poem ‘Easter, 1916’ as well as others written that year are also on show.
Throughout the exhibit visitors are able to get a real feel for the life and loves that made up this Irish literary genius. His work is clearly presented and is illuminated with soft and spot lightting.
Actors voices reading some of Yeats’ work are an added affect and give the visitor a momentary break from reading the enormous amount of information available. Paintings and photographs are also displayed in what is truly a multi-media presentation of a poet who lived in the 19th and 20th centuary.
Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 1923. He was a strong influence in the Irish Literary Revival and also founded the Abbey Theatre along with Lady Georgery, Edward Martyn and George Moore. Visitors can also watch short films as they make their way through the exhibition. At the section on Yeats’ involvement with the Abbey theatre you can view a film called, “Players and painted stage: Yeats and theatre.”
Public tours of the Yeats exhibition are available without prior booking. They last for 40 minutes and are free of charge. Times for these tours are 3.30pm Monday to Friday, Wednesday at 5.30pm and Saturday at 11am. There is also a children’s tour at 12 noon on Saturdays.
Groups of more than ten who would school tours need to book beforehand. To do so call the National Library on 01-6030277 or email yeats@nli.ie
Those trying to make up your mind about going to the exhibition should log onto the National Library’s website at www.nli.ie Read all about the exhibition and also what other people thought about it on the feedback page.
The exhibition has received many admirers and has gone on to win an award from the Association for Heritage Interpretation. The judging panel highlighted the variety of ways Yeats’ life and work is displayed and said: “The whole exhibition is totally outstanding and an unmissable experience for any visitor to Dublin interested in Irish history and culture.”
