Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2015
6. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the support her Department has provided to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of William Butler Yeats; if she will outline activities planned to mark this important commemoration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23869/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has allocated funding of €500,000 for the Yeats 2015 Programme to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of W.B. Yeats. This is part of a wider programme of supports which my Department is providing for the Decade of Commemorations. Yeats has a particularly important part in the commemorative programme, given the importance of the Cultural Revival during the period and how, in turn, the events of the period were reflected in the poetry of Yeats. In line with a Memorandum of Understanding agreed with my Department, the Western Development Commission has been assigned responsibility for all aspects of project management, including commissioning, procurement, permissions, insurance and hiring associated with the Yeats 2015 Programme. In accordance with the terms of that Memorandum, the Commission is required to report to my Department periodically in relation to the expenditure of Exchequer support on the Programme.
The key focal point for the celebrations was the four-day Yeats Festival held on June 11th-14th, centred in County Sligo, which was the inspiration for much of Yeats’ poetry. The Festival included visual arts, poetry, drama, street performance, music and family events. Another key event was the Poet Laureate event held last Saturday at Knocknarea. This was a once-off event which involved the gathering together of the Poet Laureates from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London.
In addition, many other commemorative initiatives are taking place to mark the year. As a special tribute, the Central Bank issued a limited-edition Yeats-inspired €15 coin on 3rd June, while An Post has issued a new commemorative stamp. Iarnród Éireann has also partnered with Yeats 2015, displaying a selection of Yeats’ poetry on DART trains for the month of June.
Yeats 2015 has also been embraced across the globe, with more than 40 countries marking Yeats Day.
I believe that Yeats 2015 - and the many events planned in Ireland and around the world – are having the desired impact in celebrating and commemorating the life, work, and achievements of W.B. Yeats, as well showcasing Ireland as a dynamic, creative and inspiring place.
