Proposed literary trail to trace Lady Gregory’s life

PLANS are underway to develop a literary trail across South Galway in an effort to bring more tourists to the area.
The trail would be set between the towns of Gort and Loughrea and would take in the sites of Kilmacduagh, Coole, Kiltartan, Thoor Ballylee, Roxborough and Woodville, all areas that have connections with Lady Augusta Gregory.
“We are not reinventing the wheel, all these locations are already there,” said County Galway’s Deputy Mayor Bridie Willers.
“All we are trying to do is highlight and develop places that are already in South Galway that have a significant link to Lady Gregory. There are lots of people with a love of literature who find these sites very interesting and it is about attracting people to as many of them as possible,” she continued.
Lady Gregory was born on March 15, 1852 at Roxborough in Kilchreest. Her brother, Frank Persse designed the old school at Kiltartan Cross, now the Kiltartan museum. There visuals of Yeats, Gregory and other history are on display.
Other sites on the trail are connected to her literary work towards the revival of Irish folklore.
“The trail gives us a glimpse into her life, growing up at Roxborough, visiting the nearby village of Kilchreest, going to church at Killinane on Sunday, her home at Coole, the people of the locality, her influence on WB Yeats at Thoor Ballylee and her brother at Woodville,” Councillor Willers outlined.
The trail covers a 65km route through rural South Galway and takes in audio-visual exhibitions and the Autograph Tree at Coole, the walled gardens at Woodville, as well as numerous other historic sites.
“We have some wonderful attractions here and it would be nice if we could use them all,” Councillor Willors stated.
“Thoor Ballylee is out of action at the moment and it would be great if something could be done about that. We really are blessed in South Galway with interesting sites and Gort is a heritage town. Even the local hotel is Lady Gregory,” she continued.
While a meeting will take place in the Lady Gregory Hotel on September 15 at 8pm to discuss the possibility of a community-driven Lady Gregory Literary Trail, those behind the initiative are taking more immediate action.
There will be traditional music in aid of the Lady Gregory Literary Trail at Woodville Walled Garden in Kilchreest on Sunday from 2pm to 6pm. Music will be provided by Verina Cummins, Eoin O’Neill and friends, with refreshments provided during the event. There is an entrance fee and donations are being accepted towards the Lady Gregory Literary Trail.
“This is a public event to coincide with Heritage Week. It would be great to see lots of people there ahead of the September meeting. The walled gardens are a hidden gem in South Galway really with the adjoining stables exhibiting the history of Woodville, which was once home to Harry Persse, a brother of Lady Gregory,” Councillor Willers concluded.
More information on the event is available from www.heritageweek.ie.