Hurray for Hopkins

On the first day of the 23rd Gerard Manley Hopkins Festival, Paul Andrews SJ stood on the grave of GMH (Fergus O’Donoghue marked the spot in the Jesuit plot in Glasnevin), and invoked the Lord’s blessing on the international gathering. The 7-day event unfolded as the biggest and best yet, thanks to the dynamic trio who organise it, Desmond and Viv Egan and Elaine Murphy; thanks also to the Newbridge Dominicans who hosted many of the sessions. Next year’s event will include a visit to Clongowes, where Hopkins spent more time outside Dublin than anywhere else, and where he wrote some important poems.