Minister Flanagan welcomes gift of WB Yeats bust to be presented to India

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Charlie Flanagan, TD, today accepted the gift of a bust of WB Yeats from the Bulbulia Bequest. The bust will later be presented to the people of India by the Irish Embassy in New Delhi in recognition of the strong cultural links between our two countries and Yeats’ close friendship with the Indian poet and fellow Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore.

In 2011, the Government of India presented Ireland with a bust of Mr Tagore, which is now on display in St. Stephen’s Green.

Minister Charlie Flanagan, who received the bust today at a presentation ceremony in Iveagh House, the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said:

“This gift of a bust of WB Yeats to the people of India is a kind and thoughtful initiative of sculptor Rory Breslin and the Bulbulia Bequest. It is a particularly fitting gift, as Yeats was influenced by India at various stages of his life. He was a friend of the celebrated Indian poet and fellow Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore.

“Ireland and India enjoy excellent relations and our two countries share many common experiences in our respective histories of 20th century national development. At nearly 17,000 people, the Indian community is the largest from Asia currently living in Ireland and their contribution to this country is much valued.”

Dr Abdul Bulbulia of the Bulbulia Bequest said:

“I am very pleased to have been able to support this cultural initiative which will further enhance the growing and important links between Ireland and India.”

The Yeats bust was sculpted in bronze by Rory Breslin.

Two captioned photos are attached.