2015 marks the 150th anniversary since the birth of the poet W.B. Yeats. A year-long series of celebrations are planned to mark the event with exhibitions, poetry readings, performances and recordings. More information on the events to mark the year can be found on the Yeats 2015 website.
Primary schools will be given the opportunity to participate in the Yeats 150 celebrations through the “Yeats Among Schoolchildren” competition. Pupils in all 12,000 primary schools across the country will be invited to celebrate WB Yeats poetry during the year of his birthday by creating visual interpretations of a variety of Yeats’ poems, with each age category being offered to interpret a different poem. Winners will be chosen and a beautiful book will be published, containing a selection of art works created by the pupils.
Sligo Education Centre, in conjunction with 30 education centres around the country, will organise this national event bringing Yeats to primary pupils. It is an extension of the very successful event run in Sligo for the past three years as part of the Yeats Day celebrations. Keep an eye out for this competition during this term.
WB Yeats Resources
If you want to do some work with your pupils on WB Yeats and his poetry, check out some of the following resources:
* A Powerpoint presentation on the life of WB Yeats is available free on the Seomra Ranga website HERE
* On the Ask About Ireland website there is an SESE unit of work on Looking At Sligo Through Yeats’ Eyes. View this resource HERE
* The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats – Online Exhibition from the National Library HERE
* Wikipedia article on WB Yeats HERE
WB Yeats Poetry
Some WB Yeats poetry can be a little complex for primary school pupils to understand. However, some of his early poems, in particular, are quite accessible. Have a look at some of these poems with a view to introducing WB Yeats to your pupils:
* The Ballad of Father Gilligan
* The Ballad Of Moll Magee
* The Lake Isle of Innisfree
* The Stolen Child
* Down By The Sally Gardens
* The Fiddler of Dooney
* The Song of Wandering Aengus
