Downloadable Resource | Irish Folklore and Fairy tales in the Work of WB Yeats
Illustration by Victor Brown featuring an extract from The Song of Wandering Aengus by WB Yeats, published by Cuala Press (PD 2160 TX 24)
This downloadable activity pack explores WB Yeats' personal interest in Irish folklore with a focus on poems such as "The Song of Wandering Aengus" and "The Stolen Child." It is suitable for Junior Certificate students from 1st to 3rd Year or for a transition year class.
It encourages students to learn about the influence of Irish folklore and fairy tales on the writing of WB Yeats and more broadly about the Irish Literary Revival. Using primary sources such as original manuscripts, the students are asked to examine how Yeats used inspiration from fairy tales and folklore in creating the content of his literary work.
It is designed as a standalone activity that can either be used in the classroom or at home. It also complements a visit to the NLI's exhibition, Yeats: The Life and Work of William Butler Yeats. This activity pack is free to download. To request a version of this activity pack that can be filled in on a computer or tablet please email learning@nli.ie.
The teacher's guide is included in the lesson pack along with a table of contents and links to additional resources.
If we can be of any assistance, please contact us at learning@nli.ie
