About

The Irish Literary Society was established in London in 1892. Among its founders were W B Yeats and Douglas Hyde and other leaders of the Irish Literary Revival.

The object of the Society is to promote the appreciation of Irish literature and culture and to provide a forum for intellectual and social activities in connection with these interests.


Member events

We engage with cultural and community organisations for special member-only events. These include visits and talks at galleries, archives and other cultural venues. In the 2023-2024 season we will be arranging archive visits, theatre trips and much more including a celebration of the work of our member poets developed in of workshops sponsored by Poetry Ireland and delivered by the poets Rosin Tierney and Ian Duhig.

ILS cultural friends

The ILS works with a number of Irish organisations in the UK. We deliver joint lectures every year: the Noel O’Connell lecture with the Irish Texts Society; the Yeats lecture held with the Irish Embassy. 

  • Irish Texts Society
  • Example
  • Irish Cultural Centre
  • Irish in Britain

ILS Supporters

The ILS gratefully acknowledges its funding from the Irish government’s Emigrant Support Programme and support received from our generous hosts The Bloomsbury Hotel.
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