Director of the National Library of Ireland Named Honorary President of the Yeats Society Sligo

The honour was conferred during the opening event of the 66th Yeats International Summer School in Sligo on 24 July. The event was also live streamed here at the National Library. 

This recognition reflects the National Library of Ireland’s deep connection to Yeats. The National Library of Ireland (NLI) played a formative role in the poet’s early life, and that bond has been enduring. In a remarkable act of generosity, the Yeats family donated the poet’s extensive archive to the NLI between 1939 and 2017. 

Our permanent exhibition Yeats: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats at the National Library of Ireland draws on this material and invites visitors to delve into Yeats’ deep engagement with Ireland, literature, folklore, theatre, politics, and mysticism. 

The Yeats International Summer School, now in its 66th year, is the longest-running literary summer school in the world. Over the years, it has cultivated a vibrant, international community of readers, writers, and academics. The NLI has been a regular participant in the Summer School throughout its history. 

Director of the National Library of Ireland (NLI) Dr Audrey Whitty said, “I am deeply honoured by this appointment. This role reaffirms the National Library’s ongoing partnership in both celebrating and disseminating the extraordinary life’s work of WB Yeats, one of the greatest literary figures of all time.  
 

Chair, Yeats Society Sligo, Lorraine McDonnell said, “Yeats Society Sligo is delighted to name NLI Director Audrey Whitty as our Honorary President. This strengthens our partnership and the work we both do in broadening the depth and reach of WB Yeats’ life and work. The longevity of Yeats Society Sligo and our International Summer School is testament to the Nobel poet’s continued importance in all our lives.” 

Learn more about the Yeats Society Sligo's International Summer School on their website.