Local bid for Thoor Ballylee

VALUED Yeats’ artefacts can go on display locally in South Galway, provided the necessary legal indemnities are put in place, according to Senator Lorraine Higgins.
Senator Higgins said she was informed by Junior Minister Michael Ring that Fáilte Ireland has given the go-ahead to loan artefacts associated with Thoor Ballylee and poet WB Yeats to local organisations, provided the necessary legal indemnities are put in place.
She raised the issue of the artefacts previously held in the East Galway Tower with Minister Ring in the Seanad recently, where she said their placement locally was “critical to any tourism revival in South Galway”.
“Thoor Ballylee is steeped in connections with Yeats. South Galway has suffered badly in recent years and it needs a tourism boost. The allocation of some of the artefacts from the tower in alternative accommodation is critical to the revival of the tourism sector in the area,” she said on that occasion.
Senator Higgins pointed out that the artefacts from Thoor Ballylee could be located in alternative accommodation, such as local museums or other suitable locations in Gort and the surrounding area.
“If this is done, members of the public will be able to view the artefacts and the area will receive a tourism boost. I look forward to the Minister of State’s response,” she said.
In reply, Minister Ring pointed out that Fáilte Ireland has shown that it is prepared to be flexible in respect of the display of the Yeats’ material and recently loaned out some of the artefacts for Sligo’s second Yeats Day.
“Fáilte Ireland has advised that it would be prepared to agree to a similar local arrangement, provided that local interests can identify a suitable organisation with the ability to give the appropriate assurances regarding the display and protection of the artefacts. Such an organisation would have to be in a position to enter into a legal agreement with Fáilte Ireland because the artefacts must be safeguarded for future generations,” he said.
Senator Higgins confirmed that she is more than happy to offer assistance to any museums in South Galway that may wish to house some of the artefacts. She added that doing so would not only help keep the spirit of WB Yeats alive but it would bring a tourism boost to the area.
Meanwhile, in a further boost for tourism in the South Galway area, the famous holiday home of WB Yeats and his family, Thoor Ballylee may soon be in local hands.
A meeting of local interest groups was held in the Lady Gregory Hotel last week to examine reopening the tower under new ownership.
There were discussions of the local county council assuming ownership providing local interest groups with access.
It was agreed Thoor Ballylee would reopen to the public as part of Culture Night, which takes place on September 20 and that artefacts would be on display there on that occasion.