Thoor Ballylee Estate

Thoor Ballylee Estate Review

One of the few major Yeats-related sights in the West that's not in County Sligo, Thoor Ballylee is a sight devoted Yeats fans won't want to miss. In his 50s and newly married, Yeats bought this 14th-century Norman "thoor," or tower, as a ruin in 1916 for the equivalent of about €45 in today's currency. The tower stands beside a whitewashed, thatch-roof cottage with a tranquil stream running alongside it. Its proximity to Lady Gregory's house at Coole Park made this a desirable location, though it required significant work on Yeats's part to make the ruin livable. He stayed here intermittently until 1929 and penned some of his more mystical works here, including The Tower and The Winding Stair. It's now fully restored and some rooms showcase the poet's original furnishings. The audiovisual display is a useful introduction to Yeats and his times. High up on the tower's parapet you can get some great views of Coole's Seven Woods. Note that the house was closed for renovations after severe winter damage in 2011 but it is expected to reopen in the spring or summer for the 2012 season.