. . and the  South Galway area linked with it

Ireland in the 1890’s was a disillusioned country, as the 19th century was mostly characterized by failure. The failure of the potato crop, which led to the Great Famine and failed rebellions. There was general disillusionment with the politics of Home Rule and the failure to achieve it. Ireland’s great leader and hero Charles Stewart Parnell had died in 1891. The country was still part of the United Kingdom, retaining English institutions and the English language. All of the above meant that energies were diverted into other causes. This diversion created a ‘political vacuum,’ as Yeats had called it.

Several small, dynamic groups emerged. They focused on social, cultural, and political ideals and took advantage of this opportunity. What emerged from this was a period in Irish history that’s loosely termed the Celtic Revival. It spanned the years 1880 to 1930 approximately. During this period, the Irish people searched for a past culture and tradition which they believed, would show the way ahead to the new expected state.

Back in the late 1880’s, WB Yeats published a collection of Irish Folk tales. These tales were from the 18th and 19th centuries and Douglas Hyde was the collaborator on this huge project. In 1892, Yeats founded the Irish Literary Society with Gavin Duffy. In the same year, he founded the National Literary Society, again with Douglas Hyde’s involvement – this time as President.

The south county Galway areas of Loughrea and Gort played an important role in this thriving period. They had several connections with the Revival. The idea to form the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) originated in Loughrea. Its purpose was to promote and regularize our ancient games in Ireland.

The development of the Anglo-Irish Literary Revival was spear-headed by Lady Augusta Gregory. It was just sixteen miles to the south-west in Coole Park. The Gaelic League was founded in the 1890’s. It aimed to revive the Irish language and had a wide appeal among the people.

This, in turn would lead to a growth of Ireland from within, comprising traditional culture, literature, language, music and art. This development would go on to show that Ireland was a distinct cultural Nation!

One man who was deeply involved in many aspects of Ireland’s Celtic Revival was Edward Martyn. Mr Martyn was born in 1859 to a family of Catholic landed gentry. His birth took place in his maternal grandparents’ home in the Loughrea estate of Masonbrook, South Galway. The family also owned Tullira Castle in county Galway. He was educated at Belvedere College Dublin and Oxford. He became a novelist, playwright and the first president of Sinn Fein. In 1899, he founded the Irish Literary Theater in Dublin together with W B Yeats, Lady Gregory, and George Moore. It later became the Abbey Theater and a resounding success.

Unlike most Anglo-Irish and Catholic landlords of the time, Martyn sympathized with the Irish people. He became a conservative Catholic landlord but lived most of his life as a bohemian.  He loved the Irish language and actively promoted Irish culture. He had an inherent interest in the fine Arts and became a great patron of the arts. He would later concentrate on his second great love – polyphonic music. Between 1898 and 1902, Martyn worked tirelessly to establish the Palestrina Choir in St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin. Lady Gregory said of Edward Martyn that he ‘was the bridge between the old and the new Ireland’ for her.  

At this time, the standard of Stained Glass windows in Ireland was very low. Most Irish churches back then had poor foreign-produced windows. Martyn’s idea was that Irish churches should be decorated by Irish Artists. So, together with the cooperation of local clergy, he developed this idea and translated it into reality. St. Brendan’s Cathedral in Loughrea was redeveloped between 1897 and was completed in 1902. This ‘blank canvas’ became the first cathedral in Ireland decorated by the artistic arm of the Celtic Revival. It was influenced by the budding Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20^th century. It contains numerous remarkably beautiful elements, designed by prominent Irish artists of the time. The cathedral is particularly noted for its Stained Glass windows, bronze statues, and the use of Celtic patterns throughout. The cathedral is now a treasure house of Celtic Revival art. It is one of the country’s finest treasures and has been described as ‘.. the greatest monument Ireland has to the revival of Celtic Art ‘.

Another location in South Galway hat featured prominently in the Gaelic Literary revival was Thoor Ballylee. The 15th-century fortified tower-house was once the home of WB Yeats and enchanted him so much he bought it for £35 in the early 20th century. He lived there between 1919 and 1929 and it became a very powerful symbol for him both professionally and privately. This peaceful setting led him to become very inspired, producing some of his best poetry during this period.

Yeats played an important part in the Irish Literary Revival. He published a series of books and poems relating to Irish folklore and fairy tales. He also co-founded the Irish Literary Society and the Irish Literary Theatre (forerunner of the Abbey Theatre mentioned earlier). The tower is a fascinating building to explore and also served as a filming location for the 1952 film The Quiet Man.

Another location of prominence in south Galway at the centre of the Irish Literary Revival movement was Coole Park Nature Reserve. It was the home of Lady Gregory, another co-founder of the Irish Literary Society. The woodland became a kind of sanctuary for writers during the Celtic Revival movement, and an ancient copper beech, named the Autograph Tree bears the names of those who visited. This is known as the ‘autograph tree’ and stands within a beautiful walled flower garden.

The house eventually fell into disrepair and was demolished. Coole Park is a delightful area of woodland. It is at the heart of a globally important area of wetland, containing underground streams, springs, and seasonal lakes (Turloughs). It’s a beautiful nature reserve, which features in Yeats’ poetry. It supports a large diversity of mammals and birds. In particular, there are many waterfowl and whooper swans.

The unique landscape of South Galway and its people inspired both Lady Gregory and WB Yeats to create some of their greatest works. Writers, poets, historians and artists have long been attracted to the area. For the 2025 season Western Tours and Tales are adding a Celtic Revival Tour to their schedule of tours concentrating in the South Galway area. We invite you to follow in the footsteps of the three main players of Ireland’s Celtic Revival. More information on this unique tour can be found at our Themed Tours page.