Irish poet W. B. Yeats chose the churchyard at Drumcliffe in County Sligo as his final resting place, located at the foot of Benbulben mountain. Yeats died in France but he wished to be buried at this location.
Grave of poet W. B. Yeats, Drumcliffe Graveyard, near Sligo, Ireland. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
Under bare Ben Bulben’s head In Drumcliff churchyard Yeats is laid. An ancestor was rector there Long years ago, a church stands near, By the road an ancient cross. No marble, no conventional phrase; On limestone quarried near the spot By his command these words are cut: Cast a cold eye On life, on death. Horseman, pass by! (W. B. Yeats, “Under Ben Bulben”)
St Columba’s Church of Ireland in Drumcliff. Built in 1809. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
Thanks for following our Emerald Ireland Tour. Tomorrow we are to make our way on to Dublin.
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