A LOCAL COMMUNITY ACHIEVES ITS VISION

 
Website - http://yeatsthoorballylee.org/

Website - http://yeatsthoorballylee.org/

Thoor Ballylee is a Norman castle located in Gort Co. Galway. It was home of poet, WB Yeats and his family and was regarded as a special place which influenced some of his major works. It fell into disrepair and a local community group decided to restore it. Association Innovation worked hand in hand with the local committee organising them, steering them, motivating them and supporting them to ensure the Tower reopened to visitors as a cultural and educational centre:

 

Project Objectives: 

  • Create a Local Society derived from a broad base of interests in politics, tourism, education, heritage, local business and culture.

  • Co-ordinate and unite the group around a strategic plan to restore Thoor Ballylee.

  • Set up of new Charity, Board and Governance Structures.

Success/Impact:

  • Creation of a new cultural centre for Galway with the opening of the Yeats exhibition and café.

  • Fully compliant charity which received over €250,000 in funding from private and public donors.

  • Massive media coverage in Ireland and abroad.

  • Raised the profile of the project among key government Ministers, bodies and the office of the President.

  • Local community fully involved in the project through a shared sense of ownership and voluntary participation.

Reference

“I worked with Association Innovation’s Founder Angela Guillemet as Chair of the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society, a local organization set up to re-open Thoor Ballylee, the former home of poet WB Yeats in Co. Galway. Angela became the glue in this project uniting a broad group of interests in politics, tourism, education, heritage, local business and culture. Aside from her strong inter-personal skills, she also ensured massive media coverage, a packed open day, major international funding and ensured that we followed good governance standards. I would recommend her highly to help any association or organisation. She can create visions and also make them happen.

- Dr Fidelma Healy Eames, Chair, Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society

Angela GuillemetYeats Thoor Ballylee Society, Fundraising & Partnerships