The life and works of William Butler Yeats were celebrated today with the opening of a major exhibition in his honour.
Family members, including the distinguished poet's son Michael, were among the special guests at the launch of the exhibition, unveiled by Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism John O'Donoghue.
Housed at the National Library of Ireland, Yeats: the life & works of William Butler Yeats, demonstrates the poet's significance as a world literary figure and gathers for the first time some of the nation's most important archive material.
Michael's wife Grainne, daughters Sile, Caitriona and Siobhan, poet Seamus Heaney and playwright Ulick O'Connor, were also at the exhibition, which illustrates the breadth of Yeats' publishing history while focusing on several books of special significance for their contribution to the book arts.
"WB Yeats was one of the most complex and interesting of Ireland's geniuses, and one of the most significant influences on the formation of an Irish cultural identity," said Aongus O hAonghusa, Director of the National Library of Ireland. "We are delighted to have an opportunity to illustrate his legacy."
The Yeats collection was generously donated to the National Library by his family between 1959 and 2002 and reflects the large volume of Yeats' published works - over 200 books excluding volumes he edited and contributed to - and his wide range of interests.
"We are delighted and honoured to be associated with this prestigious exhibition and with the National Library of Ireland's archive of Yeats manuscripts and books, one of Ireland's greatest cultural treasures," added Mary Nolan, of Anglo Irish Bank which sponsors the event.