Search Results for 'Augusta Gregory'

‘Dearest beloved - It is such a beautiful morning that you ought to be here and we should be walking in the garden …and if we were, what more should we do where the bushes hid us?’ These intimate words were written by the British politician, later prime minister, Ramsey MacDonald, to Lady Margaret Sackville whose initials are on the famous autograph tree at Coole.

It may seem out of place that the name Robert (known as Robbie) Ross is associated with probably the best known literary monument in Ireland, namely the autograph tree at Coole Park. With the exception of two soldiers’ names, all 24 others are poets, writers and artists all of whom Lady Gregory believed were worthy to be included in her particular and original ‘hall of fame.’

‘On Thursday last, a servant-maid at Merlin Park, the seat of Charles Blake Esq. near this town, in the act of proceeding to deliver a message which she received from Mrs Lawrence, who was then indisposed in the house, ran with so much violence against the bannisters as to cause them to give way, by which she was unfortunately precipitated to the bottom of the stairs, and killed on the spot. Every medical assistance and attention was immediately provided, but to no purpose, as the fall was so great as to have completely broken the skull in many parts.’ (Connaught Journal November 10 1823).

If Sylvia Plath was hoping for some kind of rapprochement between herself and her husband Ted Hughes during their brief stay with the late Richard Murphy at Cleggan, Co Galway, in September 1962, she was to be quickly disillusioned. In fact she would be abandoned, and plunged into despair. Yet following a visit to Coole Park, and Thoor Ballylee, Sylvia was to take away a spiritual connection with the poet WB Yeats, and a feeling of peace in the tragic build up to her suicide some five months later.

Early 2019 at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel sees the remarkable lives of Richard “Humanity Dick” Martin and Lady Augusta Gregory brought to life in two nights of excellent theatre on January 27 and February 3 in the gorgeous surroundings of this Connemara hotel.

A TALK on Lady Gregory, a showcase for amateur film makers, a children's event, and Red Bird Youth Collective seeking new members - all are taking place in the Galway Arts Centre on Dominick Street.

A new masterplan to highlight the beauty and history of Ireland's National Parks and Reserves was launched by Josepha Madigan, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in Coole Park last Monday.

Week II

Week IV

Coole Park has a rich cultural heritage as the former home of Lady Augusta Gregory and the centre of the Irish Literary Revival. Its present status as a nature reserve is due to the global importance of its extensive wetland system and woodland which borders it. To celebrate both these aspects of Coole there will be two free events during the last weekend in May.