Yeats Society of New York

The aims of the Yeats Society is to promote, celebrate and foster the works of W.B. Yeats and his family. The Society is based at the Yeats Memorial Building on Hyde Bridge in Sligo and is internationally famous for the Yeats International Summer School which is now going into its 37th Year.

• Visit the Yeats Society of New York Home Page

On January 27, 1997, Thorsten participated in "Poet, Pass By!" an event presented by the Yeats Society of New York. Thorsten recited poetry by Yeats during the event, which took place in New York University's Law School's Tishman Auditorium, located at 40 Washington Square South in New York City, and consisted of readings, songs and music celebrating Irish poet W.B. Yeats. Also participating in the program were author Frank McCourt, actors Malachy McCourt and Jared Harris, and Daily News editor Pete Hamill, among others.

A description of this event is provided below.

Being here in NYC, I did manage to attend the Poetry Reading in which Thorsten participated last Monday (1/27). First, let me say, this really wasn't a personal appearance; this was really a poetry reading attended by English scholars and theatrical actors. If you weren't into poetry, have an affinity for it, or just appreciated the written word, this wasn't the place for you. - except if you just had to see Thorsten perform! Then your next question probably is: then what in the world were you doing there? Well... I was an English Major in college, and as such I attended these as course requirements or just for the love of a particular poet who happen to be the subject of the reading.

"Poet Pass By!" was presented by The W.B. Yeats Society of New York and was attended by several highly regarded Yeats scholars. The theatrical side was represented by people like Malachy McCourt (Mr. Keneally, Kevin, ex-Ryan's Hope) and his brother, Frank McCourt, the author of Angela's Ashes, which has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for 19 weeks.

Thorsten was in very good company; he fit right in. After all, hasn't he taught English Literature? The program was divided into two parts; Thorsten appeared in the second half of the program; in fact he was the second to last performer... He read two poems: Brown Penny and When You Are Old. The poetry sound wonderful... you know his voice -- especially Brown Penny! It took me back to that wonderful story in Inish Crag...But...I was just happy to see Thorsten perform the great William Butler Yeats' poetry in person. I wasn't disappointed.