Singing Yeats!
Manuscript Fair Copy of 'The Stolen Child' by WB Yeats, MS 30, 478, Yeats Papers, National Library of Ireland
Experience WB Yeats poems through song with Irish Balladeer Enda Reilly.
WB Yeats wrote for the ear. He used a psalter and recited his poetry in an almost chanting way to move it out of everyday speech into an unearthly space. Enda's interpretations of his poetry are somewhat more melodic but equally bring Yeats' words off the page and help us feel the meaning and hear the beauty of the poetry from a fresh perspective. We are delighted to welcome Enda Reilly to the NLI for this special performance in the home of the WB Yeats collection, the world’s largest collection of books, manuscripts and personal items relating to the poet.
Conclude your visit to the NLI with a special self-guided tour of our award-winning exhibition, the Life & Works of WB Yeats. Experience some of the poems sung by Enda Reilly in their original form – manuscripts written in Yeats’s own hand – and explore the fascinating story of Yeats’s life told through the NLI’s Yeats Collection. A member of the NLI team will be on hand in the exhibition to enhance your visit.
If our team can be of any assistance, please contact us at learning@nli.ie.
