Hopkins Literary Festival
This is a festival with a vision. It reflects not only Hopkins's poetical genius but also representing, at a high level, the whole range of his interests and accomplishments.
This is not your average, narrow gathering of specialists: it includes not only Poetry, Readings and Lectures but also Music, Film, Workshops, Field Trips and convivial evenings in The Festival Club. Facing into our 23rd Festival, the Committee is happy to announce that this promises to be exceptional. From Saturday July 24 to Friday July30 2010, international and Irish participants will be heading for Newbridge. At least, 20 countries will be represented and there will be a strong presence by leading Irish Writers, Artists and Scholars. Contact us for information
2010 marks the 23 rd Annual International Hopkins Literary Festival. It attracts participants from many countries. The Music Programme includes both traditional Irish and classical: in 2010, Ivo Dropulich, the sensation from Croatia and Ireland's own, Frankie Gavin. Poetry Readings include important writers from various countries including Yiorgos Chouliaras (Greece); Richard Berengarten (UK); Alan Riach (Scotland); Tammy Morgan (USA); Desmond Egan … The Art Exhibition featuring a number of leading Artists, both Irish and International, will include work by Edward Navone (USA); Brian Bourke; Eleanor Swan and others. Workshops include the popular Words and Music Session led by musician, Conor Mahony, with others on Translation, Creative Writing etc. A very distinguished list of Lecturers will be headed by Francis Fennell (USA) Brian Arkins (Ireland); Aleksandra Kedzierska (Poland) and Alla Savchenko (Russia).The Banquet is a highlight and takes place in the stunning Pugin Hall, NUI Maynooth, presided over by President John Hughes. Download the Hopkins Festival Programme 20009.
This innovative Cultural Tourism programme is offered parallel to the International Hopkins Festival. It draws its inspiration from Hopkins's poetry, his wide interests and his close connections with Ireland. The excitement of the Hopkins Festival has attracted many young people to join us. The Committee felt the need to organise a special parallel Youth Cultural Programme . Early booking is essential! Contact us.
After 22 years, the Hopkins International Festival is moving to Newbridge. The continuing success of this International Festival - which now receives 20,000 visitors to its website - has led to the need for the greater resources and support of a large town. The Committee are very excited at the new vista opening out for what has been described by the Editor of The Oxford Companion to Irish Literature as 'the best Festival in Ireland' .
Several Newbridge people active in the Arts have come on board: a happy augury for our Newbridge Chapter, to ensure that the Hopkins International Literary Festival of 2010 will be better than ever.
On Wednesday October 28 th , to initiate this Newbridge chapter the Committee was invited by Mr. Sean Power T.D. to enjoy a Guided Tour of The Dáil and Seanad. The outing proved enormously successful and interesting; for many members, it was a first and the tour of the historic Leinster House was of absorbing interest. We saw historical portraits; records of visits by various American Presidents and the flag of The Fighting Sixty-Ninth, commanded by Kildare educated, Thomas Francis Meagher, which was presented by President Kennedy on his 1963 visit. Our Guide was particularly helpful in drawing attention to various architectural features with the Kildare connection strongly emphasized. (The Duke of Leinster also being the Earl of Kildare).
International Festival for Newbridge
Now in its twenty-third year, the Gerard Manley Hopkins International is moving to Newbridge. The move was decided on by the Committee in view of the continuing success and growing demands of what has been described by the Editor of The Oxford Companion to Irish Literature as ‘the best literary festival in Ireland'.
SThe Festival is sure to create much excitement in the Newbridge area during the last week of July 2010. Those last 22 years have marked great achievements over a wide spectrum of the Arts: Poetry, Lectures; Film; Theatre; Visual Arts; Music. Many internationally distinguished artists and writers have participated. The roll-call would include such luminaries as Hugh Kenner (USA); Catherine Phillips (UK); Andrei Vosnesenski (Russia); Hans Palsson (Sweden); Miceal O Rourke (France); Giuseppe Serpillo (Italy); Angel Crespo (Spain); Wilhelm Fockersperger (Germany)... while Irish Artists of note include: Brian Bourke; Sam Stephenson; Michael Hartnett; Robert Ballagh; James McKenna; Medbh McGuckian; Robert Welch and Desmond Egan.
A particular achievement of the Hopkins Festival has been its development of a Youth Programme. This came about through the dedication of its Director, Derek Egan, (currently teaching in Leinster Senior College , Newbridge). The Youth Programme is geared toward the needs of young people and non-specialists; it has become so popular that places have had to be limited to forty.
(The impact of the Hopkins Festival can be seen around Monasterevin with a Hopkins Garden; Lane (opened by the American Ambassador); Walk; Hopkins Haven; even a Hopkins Bar - and of course, the wonderful Hopkins Monument, a master-work of one of the great Irish artists.)
Download Festival Programme 2009
Dail Visit Marks Newbridge Hopkins Festival Move
LAfter 22 years, the Hopkins International Festival is moving to Newbridge. The continuing success of this International Festival - which now receives 20,000 visitors to its website - has led to the need for the greater resources and support of a large town. The Committee are very excited at the new vista opening out for what has been described by the Editor of The Oxford Companion to Irish Literature as 'the best Festival in Ireland' .
Several Newbridge people active in the Arts have come on board: a happy augury for our Newbridge Chapter, to ensure that the Hopkins International Literary Festival of 2010 will be better than ever.
On Wednesday October 28 th , to initiate this Newbridge chapter the Committee was invited by Mr. Sean Power T.D. to enjoy a Guided Tour of The Dáil and Seanad. The outing proved enormously successful and interesting; for many members, it was a first and the tour of the historic Leinster House was of absorbing interest. We saw historical portraits; records of visits by various American Presidents and the flag of The Fighting Sixty-Ninth, commanded by Kildare educated, Thomas Francis Meagher, which was presented by President Kennedy on his 1963 visit. Our Guide was particularly helpful in drawing attention to various architectural features with the Kildare connection strongly emphasized. (The Duke of Leinster also being the Earl of Kildare).