Mark Patrick Hederman

Mark Patrick Hederman, a Benedictine monk from Glenstal Abbey, has had a multifaceted career as an educator and writer. He served as headmaster and academic dean at the Glenstal school and was later elected Abbot, a position he held for an eight-year term. Hederman pursued doctoral studies in the philosophy of education at UCD and has lectured internationally on philosophy and literature. He was also a co-founder of the cultural journal, The Crane Bag, and co-edited its associated book of Irish studies. His election as Abbot at age 64 was noted as surprising given his unconventional approach within the Irish Church. Hederman has also spoken publicly on significant issues, including the sexual abuse scandals within the Irish Catholic Church.

Mark Patrick Hederman's life has been deeply intertwined with Glenstal Abbey in Ireland. He first attended the school there as a boy and, with brief periods spent abroad, has largely resided at the Abbey. His academic background includes a doctorate in the philosophy of education from University College Dublin. Beyond his monastic vows, Hederman dedicated himself to education, first as headmaster and later as academic dean of the school at Glenstal. His election as the fifth Abbot of Glenstal Abbey, a position he held for eight years, was considered a notable event, particularly given his reputation as a somewhat unconventional figure within the Irish Church. At 64, he was the oldest to assume the role since the monastery's establishment as an Abbey.

Beyond his institutional roles, Mark Patrick Hederman has made significant contributions to Irish cultural discourse. He was instrumental in founding The Crane Bag, a cultural journal that explored various intellectual and artistic themes. Alongside Richard Kearney, he co-edited 'The Crane Bag Book of Irish Studies,' a two-volume collection. Hederman's academic work extends to lecturing on philosophy and literature, with engagements in countries such as the United States and Nigeria. His writings often delve into themes of consciousness, spirituality, and the intersection of art and the human psyche, exploring concepts related to the unconscious and symbolic interpretation.

“I came here as a boy to school when I was twelve of age, and apart from about ten years of my life spent in Africa, America and other parts of Europe, I have never lived anywhere else. ... It only existed as a monastery thirty years before I arrived.”