Each year, since 1987, during the last week of July, the GM Hopkins Literary Festival has taken place in Newbridge College. Over the years, we have built up an extensive Archive of Lectures given during the Festival and generously donated to our Archive
A bright gem in the literary world. Patrick Samway SJ
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(Actual cost of the programme would be over €300 but this is subsidised by the Hopkins Society and as a result the cost to students is kept to Cost: €50.)
The Hopkins Youth Programme is geared towards 5th Year students who have an interest in literature, writing or the arts in general.
Students attend from all over Kildare as well as Dublin, Laois, Offaly and Carlow. Exam help!
A special student exploration of the English poetry on next year’s Leaving Cert. course led by Dr. Will Adamson, Bamberg University, Germany.
>Shakespeare’s drama on the Leaving Cert. course.
An fhilíocht don Ardteist –
how to prepare the Irish poetry for the Leaving Cert. with a Dept. of Education appointed examiner.
An introduction to creative writing in both poetry and prose.
Multi-language Translation Workshop.
Hopkins's sonnet, Hurrahing the Harvest is the poem selected for this year.
Download Hurrahing in Harvest here
Free entry to the festival’s Hans Palsson Classical Music Concert featuring world-famous pianist Hans Palsson from Sweden performing works by Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert and Beethoven.
Details of Piano Recital including Programme here
Make sure you have your place in the Theatre secured by
contacting Youth Programme Director, Derek
A Words and Music Workshop where students get to explore the relationship between music and lyrics and then have a go at composing themselves.
Led by Conor Mahony, musician and songwriter.
Graphics Workshop with one of Ireland’s foremost graphics artists including Margaret Becker.
“It was absolutely fantastic. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it and I never will again!”
“It has given me so many lovely memories and increased my level of understanding in art and literature enormously. I received a H1 in my Honours English Leaving Cert
and I believe that your programme helped me greatly for this exam” "The course has had a major influence on my life"
“I thought the broad range of subjects was excellent and the teachers who worked with us were fantastic”
“I see poetry from a better angle now, my eyes are open to every possibility of the poem. I now know that I enjoy writing and reading poetry and have all the tips, thanks
to this programme.”
“It was brilliant, I know a lot more material for the exam and it was great to meet other young people with same interst in poetry
“I enjoyed the Programme greatly, it was one of the best weeks of my summer.”
We leave it to each school to nominate the students they feel would best benefit from attending the Youth Programme.
Further information on the programme contactthe Youth Programme Director,
Derek Egan or 086-4021459.