Monasterevin Hopkins Society Annual Festival Lectures

The Monasterevin Hopkins Society celebrates Gerard Manley Hopkins, his poetry and his unique connection to the community in Monasterevin. They hold a annual festival, and invite you to join them and gain an insight into the community and location that he referred to as “one of the props and struts of my existence”.

Saturday July 27th

Venue: Moore Abbey 

10.00 am  Lecture: James Harpur

Topic: Tom  and Gerard : the inverse Lives of T.S. Eliot and G.M Hopkins

In this talk , poet James Harpur will explore the similarities and differences between two of the greatest spiritual poets of the late 19th and 20th centuryies. Both Eliot and Hopkins were outsiders , converting to faiths different from those in which they were rared, and both suffered from illness, physical and mental.

11.00 - 11.30: Coffee/Tea

11.30 am Lecture : Lance Pierson

Topic: Hopkins and Milton

Hopkins admired Milton enormously, but it is not always realised how far he was influenced by him. The lecture explores four major areas where Hopkins looked to Milton as a mentor.

12.30 - 1.49 pm Lunch Break

Venue: Monasterevin Community Centre, Main St. Monasterevin

2.00 pm Lecture : Jo O'Donovan RSM

Topic: Hopkins - the poet of Theology 

Exploring Hopkins as the poet of theology.

Venue : Monesterevin House, Presentation Generalate, Main Street, Monesterevin

3.00 pm Poet Reading: James Harpur

James will read his own poerty.

4.15 pm My Favourite Hopkins Poem

All those who wish to do so are invited to read a Hopkins poem of their choice.