The Autograph Tree

A Living Guestbook of Irish Literary History at Coole Park

The Autograph Tree is a renowned copper beech at Coole Park in County Galway, where leading figures of the Irish Literary Revival carved their initials into its bark. Lady Augusta Gregory, a playwright, folklorist, patron of the arts and owner of the estate, invited her guests to leave their mark on the tree as a lasting record of their visits. The tradition began in 1898 at the suggestion of George Bernard Shaw, with W. B. Yeats being the first to carve his initials. More than a century later, the weathered and worn signatures still captivate visitors, offering a tangible connection to Ireland’s literary past.