The W B Yeats Landscape surrounds the rural market town of Gort in south County Galway.Yeats lived and worked here for twelve summers. He loved the area.
A Mysterious River
A mysterious river keeps disappearing and reappearing, even changing her name more than once as she weaves through the Burren Lowlands. Indeed, there are some wonderful rare geological formations to explore as well as some ancient holy sites. For instance, we visit a deep river cave and a series of collapsed caves in ethereal woodland. Hidden beside the river lies a regularly frequented site for Yeats’ muse. Locals allege he used to picnic here with his benefactor Lady Gregory. And it is here that I invite you to listen to the healing sounds of the drum and gong. For they do amplify the elemental qualities, helping you merge with the extraordinary energies of this hidden gem of a place.
Following a magical tiny road that follows the course of the river Beagh, we stop at other hidden sites such as a holy well and a church that has been there since at least the ninth century. This church was probably part of a longer pilgrimage route to Holy Island on Lough Derg. We can dowse with divining rods the water and energy lines there.
Next along the road is a delightful thatched cottage whose owner a potter if available can meet you for tea and great home- baking in her sheltered courtyard. (Deduction from price if not). Finally we can explore and learn the sad history of a Mass rock and “bullaun” set in a stone enclosure close to an old settlement long gone.
Yeats and Gregory
If you want to extend this tour to a full day you can have a truly delicious lunch in the tearooms in Coole Park, former estate of Lady Gregory, Yeats benefactor and ally. This old haunt of Yeats is most definitely part of the W B Yeats landscape. Yeats was a regular visitor to Coole Park where Lady Gregory lived. Together they helped set up the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s premier Irish-speaking theatre about one hundred years ago. In Coole Park you can visit the Autograph Tree where many famous writers inscribed their names.
A fairy walk
From here you are able to walk through the dry turlough in Summer to the adjacent native woodland of Garrylands.
A Writer’s Inspiration
The land surrounding Yeats’ Tower house, which he poetically renamed Thor Ballylee, is very special. No surprise W.B Yeats, Ireland’s Nobel Prizewinner and Poet Laureate chose the island location for his muse for 12 summers. At Thor Ballylee you can listen to Jackie recite some of his poetry in English, and we can enjoy a short truly enchanting river walk to the old mill nearby.
PRICES half day
€190 – 1 person
€240 – 2 – 4 people
€300 5 – 6 people
€400 7 – 12 people
30% deposit required to secure date and final payment due before start of date. All payment via PayPal info@earthwise.me or via bank transfer upon request.
PRICES whole day
€370 – 1 person
€450 – 2 – 4 people
€500 5 – 6 people
€620 7 – 12 people
30% deposit required to secure date and final payment due before start of date. All payment via PayPal info@earthwise.me or via bank transfer upon request.
30% deposit required to secure date and final payment due before start of date. All payment via PayPal info@earthwise.me or via bank transfer upon request.
GUIDE BOOKS AS SOUVENIRS
3 guide books are or sale on the Burren, written by your guide Jackie Queally
+ 2 books on the Celtic Trees also written by Jackie