Field Trips are Part of The Hopkins Festival

Hopkins's Grave in Glasnevin Cemetery; Bus to Maynooth; Tour of Maynooth Castle; Tour of Maynooth University Camus with Millennium Garden, Pugin style Chapel and Gala Banquet hosted by President NUI Maynooth. Gerard Manley Hopkins died on Saturday 08 June 1889 at 85 St. Stephen's Green Dublin and was buried in The Jesuit Plot in Glasnevin Cemetery. the largest cemetery in Ireland, first opened its gates in 1832 after a series of events prompted Daniel O'Connell to establish a place where people of all religions could bury their dead with dignity. Hopkins' death was reported in The Catholic Times, The Freeman's Journal and The rish Times newspapers. The death notice in the Irish Times of Monday 10 June read as follows:HOPKINS - June 8, at University College, the Rev. Gerard Hopkins, SJ, Fellow of the Royal University. High Mass and Office at St. Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner street, on tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11 o'clock, funeral to Glasnevin immediately afterwards. Read full account of Hopkins's death in the Hopkins Archive.The Field Trip Bus leaves Newbridge after Lunch and returns at approx. 10 pm.

Feld Trip 2

A Visit to Pollardstown Fen

Remembering Hopkins's interest in conservation and in nature, a Guided Tour of Pollardstown Fen, ably led by Michael Jacob, should be a highlight. Pollardstown Fen is the largest remaining calcareous spring-fed fen in Ireland. Covering an area of 220 ha, it is recognised as an internationally important fen ecosystem with unique and endangered plant communities. Reflecting Gerard Manley Hopkins's interest in nature, conservation and ecology, a Guided Tour of Pollardstown Fen, on the edge of the Curragh should be a highlight. Pollardstown is recognised as an internationally important fen ecosystem with unique and endangered plant communities. On our Field Trip, you are likely to see Mute Swans, Herons, Little Grebes, Coot and Moorhen on the lake, while parties of Sand Martins swoop low over the open water hunting for insects. The fens, reeds and grasslands are home to Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. Some birds are more easily heard than seen: from the sedge and reed beds Water Rails call noisily and the drumming of Snipe can be heard; across the fen Sedge Warblers sing loudly in defence of their territories. Pollardstown also supports a number of rare and threatened plant species including the Fly Orchid, Pugsley's Marsh Orchid, Fen Bedstraw, Broad-leaved Bog Cotton, Tufted Sedge, Slender Sedge and Blunt Flowered Rush. Orchids to be found at Pollardstown include the Lesser Butterfly Orchid, Fragrant Orchid, Twayblade and the Marsh and Spotted Orchids. Insect-eating plants such as the Common Butterwort and Western Bladderwort are also present, while the Round-leaved Sundew can be seen growing on sphagnum moss in acidic parts of the fen. Bus leaves from Riverbank Arts Centre at 3 pm with pickup at Hotel Keadean front gate. Give names to Claire Doyle. Wine Reception in the Bog and Poetry by Richard Halperin (France); Marja Kangro (Estonia); Shizue Ogawa (Japan); Riina Katajavouri (Finland).

23rd Gerard Manley Hopkins Festival
July 24 - 30, 2010

Field Trips, an integral part of

The Hopkins International Festival

Field Trip 1

Feld Trip 2

A Visit to Pollardstown Fen

23rd Gerard Manley Hopkins Festival July 24 - 30, 2010

Field Trips, an integral part of

The Hopkins International Festival

Field Trip 1

Feld Trip 2

A Visit to Pollardstown Fen

23rd Gerard Manley Hopkins Festival
July 24 - 30, 2010