The Hopkins Society have run a poetry festival with poetry and more since 1987 in honour of the English poet. Why do enthusiasts, fans of the poetry of the English poet Hopkins devote time, energy to run this Hopkins poetry festival? Here is background information on this Irish society, now busily organising Hopkins 2000.

Founded in 1987

In 1987, The Gerard Manley Hopkins Society was founded in Monasterevin to celebrate and foster the works of English poet and, in particular, his association with Monasterevin, Co.Kildare and Ireland. They would also celebrate his interest in music, painting and the arts. The Society's major undertaking each year is the International Summer School,a poetry festival normally held in the last week of July.(Hopkins 2000 will take place from July 22 to 28)

Legal Status:

The Gerard Manley Hopkins Society, a Not For Profit Company limited by Guarantee and approved for Tax Relief under Section 484 of T.C.A. 1997. Sponsors and Donors who wish to avail of this Tax Relief should contact the Society for details. Reg. No:268039. Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Webmaster)

The Aims of the Irish GM Hopkins Society

1. To explore and to give a forum for the writings of Gerard Manley Hopkins.

2. To promote the cause of poetry, and artistic endeavour in relation to Gerard Manley Hopkins.

3. To promote, foster and encourage cultural, artistic activity in general and poetry in particular.
   

4. To study and highlight the connection of English poet, gerard manley Hopkins with Ireland, in particular, his connection with Monasterevin, in Co. Kildare.

5. To create a forum for International, Irish and local artistic talent.
   

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Developments Since 1987

The Society has gone from strength to strength thanks to the dedication and energy of its Members and also, thanks to generous sponsorship from the business community, state agencies and others. It started out as a community based, voluntary undertaking but in 1998, The Hopkins Society was incorporated and registered as a Not for Profit Company Limited. This step was taken to facilitate further expansion and development.

Since 1987, it has built up strong links with several universities : Creighton University, Omaha, U.S.A., the National University of Ireland at Maynooth, Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and more recently with Regis College, in Denver, Colorado. Since 1997, one day of the International Festival is spent in NUI Maynooth, also situated in Kildare. During the annual poetry festival, Hopkins scholars, enthusiasts and lovers of poetry from all over the world have come to re-discover the magic that Hopkins originally found in Monasterevin, a quiet, Victorian village 40 miles south-west of Dublin.

Participants also rediscover the magic of the Englishman's poetry.

The Hopkins Society organises cultural events throughout the year including Poetry Readings; an Annual Hopkins Lecture and Concerts. The Society also produces an Annual Newsletter to keep in touch with their friends world-wide.

This History of The Gerard Manley Hopkins Society was written by Elaine Murphy, The Gerard Manley Hopkins Society.