Wooden bench on a gravel road | Rural scenic landscape. A rustic wooden bench placed along a gravel road in a peaceful rural setting with a grassy field and trees

The Yeats Trail

Bringing the poetry of W.B. Yeats to life through landscape design
Location
Sligo, Ireland
Client
Sligo County Council

Enriching cultural heritage and rural tourism

The Yeats Trail not only celebrates Irish literary heritage but also revitalises rural tourism in Sligo. 

It provides a framework for interpretation and engagement, encouraging visitors to explore the county’s hidden gems and natural beauty.

A gold statue of a feather sits on a wooden bench in Yeats Memorial Garden, surrounded by other benches. The garden is located in County Sligo, Ireland
WB Yeats Innisfree Sculpture, Yeats Trail | County Sligo, Ireland. Sculpture of a water droplet representing a teardrop on the Yeats Trail commemorating WB Yeats poem "Innisfree" located in County Sligo, Ireland
A wooden bench sits on a grassy hilltop overlooking a lake surrounded by mountains. There are pine trees on either side of the bench
A gold statue of a feather sits on a wooden bench in Yeats Memorial Garden, surrounded by other benches. The garden is located in County Sligo, Ireland
WB Yeats Innisfree Sculpture, Yeats Trail | County Sligo, Ireland. Sculpture of a water droplet representing a teardrop on the Yeats Trail commemorating WB Yeats poem "Innisfree" located in County Sligo, Ireland
A wooden bench sits on a grassy hilltop overlooking a lake surrounded by mountains. There are pine trees on either side of the bench
A gold statue of a feather sits on a wooden bench in Yeats Memorial Garden, surrounded by other benches. The garden is located in County Sligo, Ireland
WB Yeats Innisfree Sculpture, Yeats Trail | County Sligo, Ireland. Sculpture of a water droplet representing a teardrop on the Yeats Trail commemorating WB Yeats poem "Innisfree" located in County Sligo, Ireland
A wooden bench sits on a grassy hilltop overlooking a lake surrounded by mountains. There are pine trees on either side of the bench

Designing for diverse audiences

LUC designed a series of waymarked stops with interpretive elements including sculptures, seating areas, and information panels. 

These elements cater to a variety of user groups, from literature enthusiasts to families and casual sightseers.

A wooden bench sits on a grassy hilltop overlooking a lake surrounded by mountains. There are pine trees on either side of the bench
A metal statue of a woman in a flowing dress stands on a stone pedestal in a wooded area. Sunlight filters through the leaves of the trees around the statue.

Sensitive integration within the landscape

Respectful of the unique character of each site, LUC designed the trail interventions to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

The use of natural materials and a 'light touch' approach ensures the focus remains on the beauty of the landscape and poetry of Yeats.

Yeats Country sign, County Sligo | Ireland. A weathered metal sign with the inscription "Yeats Country" in a Celtic font, mounted on a stone wall in County Sligo, Ireland
Yeats family memorial, Yeats Trail | County Sligo, Ireland. Black and white stone Celtic cross memorial for Dermot & Susan Yeats, parents of poet WB Yeats, on the Yeats Trail in County Sligo, Ireland

Sustainable legacy for Sligo

The Yeats Trail is designed to be a sustainable addition to Sligo’s tourism infrastructure.

The use of durable materials and low-maintenance design principles ensures the longevity of the trail, while also encouraging responsible enjoyment of the natural environment.

Wooden bench on a gravel road | Rural scenic landscape. A rustic wooden bench placed along a gravel road in a peaceful rural setting with a grassy field and trees

The team

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