A magical weekend awaits this autumn in South Galway, as the Lady Gregory–Yeats Autumn Gathering returns with a vibrant and thought-provoking programme that celebrates the literary, cultural, and theatrical legacy of Lady Augusta Gregory and W.B. Yeats.
Taking place from September 26-28, this beloved festival brings together friends, scholars, artists, and visitors from around the world to learn, reflect, and connect in a landscape rich with history and enchantment.
The Gathering begins on Friday, September 26, with an evocative tour of Woodville House and Gardens, once home to Lady Gregory’s brother, Henry Persse. Guests will enjoy a walk through the beautifully restored walled gardens and view rare photographs offering a glimpse into the life and times of the Persse family.
That evening, the festival presents a major highlight: Lady Gregory in America, an operetta by award-winning author Colm Tóibín, with a compelling modern score by composer Arturo Caruso. This witty and powerful production tells the extraordinary story of the Abbey Theatre players’ controversial 1911 U.S. tour with J.M. Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World—a journey filled with riots, outrage, and no shortage of theatrical drama.
On Saturday, the Gathering formally opens at Coole Park, once the heart of Ireland’s literary revival. Lady Gregory’s descendants will cut the traditional Barm Brack, symbolizing the welcoming spirit of the weekend. The setting itself—home to the famous Autograph Tree inscribed by literary giants including Yeats, Shaw, O’Casey, and Synge—serves as a poignant reminder of the profound legacy rooted in this land.
Saturday’s programme features an exceptional lineup of speakers. Ella Swift Redding, writer, director, actress, and this year’s Gathering Chair, will open proceedings. The day’s talks include:
Chris Morash, Seamus Heaney Professor of Irish Writing at Trinity College Dublin, exploring Coole Park as a writers’ retreat.
James Pethica, Professor of Irish Studies at Williams College, presenting Lady Gregory and the First Abbey Theatre Tour of America.
Cathy Leeney, from University College Dublin, delving into Lady Gregory, Queens of Ireland: Thunderbolt & Lightning, Politics & Power.
Saturday concludes with a warm and elegant Candlelight Dinner in Coole Park, complete with entertainment, offering time to reflect and connect with fellow festival-goers in a truly magical setting.
On Sunday, the festival moves to the spellbinding Thoor Ballylee, Yeats’s 14th-century tower and beloved retreat. Here, the atmosphere deepens with fireside conversations in this sacred literary space. The day opens with a discussion between esteemed local historian Sr. Mary DeLourdes Fahy and James Pethica, offering insights rooted in Kiltartan lore and lived memory.
Following this, multi-disciplinary artist and scholar Jonathan Creasy explores Parallels between Augusta Lady Gregory and Mary Manning, opening new windows into Irish literary history. A guided tour of the newly restored Mill Wheel at Thoor Ballylee will also be available before guests enjoy a farewell lunch in this beautifully preserved heritage site.
The Lady Gregory–Yeats Autumn Gathering is a celebration of creativity, intellect, and friendship. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning guest, you’ll find something to stir your soul—from scholarly talks to music, theatre, heritage, and shared stories around an autumn fire.
Organisers look forward to welcoming you to AG25. For more information and to book your place, visit autumngathering.com or contact [email protected]. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite: bit.ly/2025AutumnGathering
