Letter from Fr. E.[P.] Barry, writing from Miltown Malbay, County Clare, to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ, Vice Provincial. Asks for permission to establish the Confraternity of the Sacred Heart in his district.

Letter from Fr Al. Simpson SJ, Stonyhurst College, England to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Congratulates the latter on the quality of his French, and corrects some errors that appeared in his letter. Refers to Fr Peter Kenney SJ and his imminent arrival in Stonyhurst. Also discusses the Jesuit presence in France, and their establishment of ‘petits seminaires’ there. Announces his departure for Paris in September. (In French).

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial John Fahy SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Sallins, County Kildare to Fr Edward Cahill SJ expressing his approval for Fr Cahill to read a paper on social studies at the next Maynooth Union.

‘Note on Sir J. Coxe Hippisley’. Recounts Sir Hippisley’s involvement in the Catholic question, and the ‘appendixes to his speech on the issue, which was rejected by the Jesuits at Stonyhurst’. Refers to some of his views, including his contention in relation to the transfer of Jesuit funds from England to Ireland.

A file relating to Fr Patrick Joy's registration as an intermediate school teacher in Ireland.

Diary belonging to Henry King and kept while he was a student in Clongowes Wood College.

Retreat journals kept by Fr Edward J Coyne SJ.

A file of material collected by Fr John Grene SJ on the life of Mr James Murphy SJ, a scholastic who drowned whilst on villa (holiday) at Poulaphuca, County Wicklow. The contributors provide information of his life as a student at Clongowes Wood College and later as a novice in the Society.

Documents relating to a series of lectures for the students of Clongowes Wood College, arranged by Fr Matthias Bodkin SJ. Includes notification and programme of lectures to ‘encourage a wider range of thought and culture’ (1934-1935, 2pp);
– letters to Fr Bodkin from various academics and professionals arranging the lectures, including letters:
– from Patrick Semple, Professor of Latin, National University of Ireland (lecture on ‘The Roman Emperors’) (6 September-10 November 1934, 6 items);
– from John F Larchet, Professor of Music, National University of Ireland (lecture on ‘The Appreciation of Music’) (14 September 1934-22 February 1936, 4 items);
– from Canon P Boylan, Professor of Oriental Languages, Maynooth (lecture on Egyptology) (2 October, 4 December 1934, 3 items);
– from Michael Tierney, Professor of Greek, National University of Ireland (lecture on ‘The Historic Sights of Greece’) (7 September 1934 – 29 October 1935, 5 items);
– from Thomas Bodkin (Fr. Bodkin’s brother), D. Litt. (lecture on ‘The National Gallery’) (5 February 1935, 1p.);
– from John Joseph Robinson, F.R.I.A.I. (lecture on ‘Renaissance Architecture’) (8 September 1934-25 April 1935, 4 items);
– from Professor Joseph Doyle, Botany Department, University College Dublin (11 November-15 December 1936, 2 items);
– from Professor J.C. Sperrin-Johnson, Botany Department, University College Cork (12-22 November 1935, 2 items) and
– from Maurice Leahy (to Fr Fergal McGrath SJ), founder and editor of 'The Ireland – American Review' (14 January-25 February 1938, 6 items).

A file of letters from Fr Laurence Kieran SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare to Fr Richard Devane SJ concerning his campaign for cinema censorship. Encourages him and wishes him success.

Certificate appointing Robert St Leger as Rector of Clongowes Wood College SJ.

Typed text from a copy of an original letter from Edmund Rice to Fr Peter Kenney SJ, Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare asking for news from Clongowes. Remarks that he and others are confused '...on account of this Roman Rescript on the Veto.' Continues 'It is considered here that the treatment was most contemptible to the Irish Bishops, Clergy and people.' Refers to Fr St Leger's family who '...are teasing me to write to you to know do you expect him. The Bishop told me it would be well to know as if there was no expectation of him that the matter should be broken to his poor mother.'

Two copies of a letter addressed to Irish Fr Provincial Michael O'Grady SJ by Br Denis Peter Fennell SJ providing instructions for the post-humus publication of his manuscript entitled ‘Strange Fragments of Irish and English History’.

Annotated manuscript of Br Denis Peter Fennell SJ ‘Reminiscences of a Clongowes Octogenarian’ sent to his Irish Fr Provincial Michael O'Grady SJ, with accompanying letter.

Two copies of a letter from Br Denis Peter Fennell SJ, Clongowes Wood College SJ, Naas, County Kildare to his Irish Fr Provincial Michael O'Grady SJ, explaining the nature and history of his propagandist writings.

A file relating to the postponement of Fr Arthur Little’s last vows. Includes a letter from Irish Fr Provincial, St Francis Xavier’s, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin to Fr Little outlining the reasons behind the postponement (27 December 1932, 1p).

A file of letters to Cyril Power congratulating him on the completion of his first vows.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from various Jesuits in response to Fr Provincial’s letter (16 April 1941, 1p.) seeking volunteers to serve as chaplains: ‘Mgr. Coghlan (an Irishman from the diocese of Meath) who is in charge of the military chaplains has called upon me and informed me that the need of chaplains is acute and urgent, in some areas Catholic soldiers have no priests to look after them’. Includes responses from: John Hayes SJ (See CHP2/18); John Burden SJ (See CHP2/13); Thomas O'Donnell SJ; Cyril Perrott SJ (See CHP2/35); Conal Murphy SJ (See CHP2/30); Thomas P. Kelly SJ; Brendan Lawler SJ; John McCarron SJ; Brian MacMahon SJ; Daniel Shields SJ (See CHP2/37); Maurice Dowling SJ (See CHP2/16); Frank O'Riordan SJ and Joseph Garland SJ.

Letter to Fr William A Sutton SJ from his brother, Sir Abraham Sutton following the publication of 'The Clongownian' in June 1921, containing a photograph of him (Sir Abraham), following his election as President of the Clongowes Union, for 1920 – 1921, and an appreciation (p.120 – 121). States in his letter ‘Dont fail to read 'The Clongownian'. You will be amazed to read about your younger brother as indeed he was to read about himself.…I suspect who wrote it but I am not quite certain. It is artistically done but much over laudatory. You cried when I returned to the world but Providence decreed otherwise for there were many family matters that required my special attention. Just think I entered my 73rd year on last Monday. Oh how short they appear now!’

Diary includes entry dated 31 August 1909 which reads, ‘Since coming here to Mungret six years ago I’ve been struggling on much on the old lines ever seeking peace one way or another…It came upon me quite by surprise to be sent here from M(ill)town Park. I had been told I sh(oul)d be there 10 years (of course not for certain). Any way I made best of it. It was compensation to get away from relatives who had given me awful bother, poor creatures. I came here as Vice Rector & had lots of teaching. I had to study much & got on well enough. I expected to be appointed Rector, but after 2 years ceased to be Superior & felt it someways though I would have chosen it too.…In the matter of Latin it seems to me as if I had never known much about it before & still I am far from being a Latin scholar. This is absolutely true. Last year I had 2nd Arts Pass Greek & learnt a good deal about it too & glad of additional insight.…First year I had 1st Arts English Pass & Honors besides Pass [ ] of B.A. [And] 2nd Arts. Eyes got affected. Two months not allowed to read. Enjoyed the time. This year I had only Lat(in) B.A. & 2nd Arts & so like last year.…For all my reading, writing, thinking, results not much. I have not turned out at all what I expected. Much better so. I have given up thinking I ever shall.…I am now in my 63rd year, old enough to have sense. It is something to know that one has not much sense & never shall. Men are but children of larger growth.…one w(oul)d think I ought to have made more mark. Since I came here six years ago I have never been asked to preach anywhere, not even at the Crescent. I am glad now. I am determined for the future to be absolutely truthful with regard to mental state, & give up all sham.…I have a great deal of the buffoon in me. This vacation I was three weeks away at C.W.C.,…(Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare)…in Dublin & in [...]. All that time I was going about & meeting many. I joked & told stories & made people laugh &…in my own esteem shone & I am sure several thought I was always goodhumoured… the truth is very different.…As I have given up all desire of distinguishing myself, of attracting notice etc. I will try to make diary a companion.…The way to please God is to be as useful & helpful as one can. I must try. Reading & writing may be best for me.’

Diary is resumed after a three year break, on 1st October 1912, in an entry beginning ‘Tullabeg. here since Aug. 24th 1911.’

Album compiled by Fr Henry Gill SJ containing newspaper clippings, photographs and letters. Includes:
– newspaper clipping referring to a meeting of the Royal Dublin Society before which a paper by Fr Gill entitled ‘The Theory of the Stratified Discharge in Geissler Tubes’ was communicated by the Registrar Mr. Moss (n.d., 1p.);
– letter from Prof Charles J. Joly, D.Sc., F.R.S., Dunsink Observatory, Co. Dublin (Honorary Secretary of the R.D.S.) stating ‘Your beautiful illustration of precession and nutation is quite new to me and I think you should certainly send it to 'Nature'. I am keeping the figures as you kindly say I may’ (24 March 1903, 1p.);
– black and white photograph of the hunt at Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare ([1903?], 1p.) and note to Fr Gill from the “Proprietors of ‘The Badminton Magazine’ enclosing a cheque for £1.1s as a prize in their photograph competition (27 April 1903, 1p.);
– clipping from a magazine/newspaper concerning the marriage of his sister, Miss Mary Catherine Gill, only daughter of Mr Henry J. Gill, M.A., J.P., of Roebuck House, Clonskeagh, Dublin with Mr. William Harrington, of Cherryfield, Templeogue on 16 June 19?? . Also includes two photographs of the room with the table laid out for the wedding breakfast (16 June 19??, 4 items);
– newspaper report on a lecture given by Fr Gill before the Royal Dublin Society on ‘a possible connection between the recent disturbances at Vesuvius and San Francisco’ ([June 1906], 1p.);
– clipping from the 'Freeman’s Journal' referring to Fr Gill’s theory ‘according to which earthquakes and such like disturbances at one place may, under certain conditions, give rise to corresponding shocks in other places’ (24 August 1906, 1p.);
– clipping on the opening of a new wing of the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge by Lord Rayleigh. Includes reference to Mr H. V. Gill’s experiments with spinning tops to illustrate earthquake reactions (19 June 1908, 2pp);
– extract from 'The Tablet' containing the following reference to Fr Gill in its University Notes, ‘…we must congratulate the Rev. H. V. Gill, of St Edmund House, upon his Research Degree won by a Thesis on ‘A New Glow in Vacuum Tubes.’ Father Gill has exhibited his apparatus before the Royal Society, and was also invited to exhibit it by the Royal Institution.’ (see also J17/29) (26 June 1909, 2pp);
– notice advertising Fr Gill’s ‘Earthquake Top…with handle for spinning, and lead bullets’ for 7s.6d. (n.d., 1p.);
– clipping from the 'Freeman’s Journal' on a lecture on ‘Wireless Telegraphy’ given by Fr. Gill in Belvedere College on 6 May 1912 (7 May 1912, 4pp);
– extract from 'The Tablet' of an article entitled ‘The Cardinal at Cambridge A Representative University Gathering’ containing the following reference to Fr Gill, ‘Sir J.J. Thomson, F.R.S., who responded for science, said that this was not the first time that he had had the pleasure of meeting and working with members of that Society. One of them, Father Gill, worked in his laboratory and did extremely valuable and able work, and developed a great power of dealing with physical problems’ (18 May 1912, 3pp);
– photograph of a physics laboratory (possibly one of the labs at Clongowes Wood College) (n.d., 1 item)
– photographs relating to Fr Gill’s research work (n.d., 5 items).

Note from Fr John S. Conmee SJ thanking Fr Henry Gill SJ for sending him his most recent article and stating ‘I…felt very proud of you and this old Alma Mater…(Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare)…of yours. Many have spoken to me in the highest praise of your Article.’

Postcard sent by ‘E.F.R.’, Edward Frank Ryan, Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare to Fr Henry Johnston SJ at St Stanislaus’ College, Tullamore, Kingscounty (County Offaly), planning a day trip depending on the weather.

A file relating to Fr Joseph Howatson SJ, his entry into the Society of Jesus and his death.

A file relating to a manuscript by Fr William Lockington SJ entitled 'Subjects and Superiors'. Includes censor's reports.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Matthias Bodkin SJ written during his time as chaplain in the Royal Navy based at R.N. Base, Derry, Northern Ireland (refers to trips to the Arctic Circle and Western Australia) and serving on the battleship H.M.S. Anson in the East. Includes;

• Letter concerning his finances (February 1945, 10pp) and draft of Fr Provincial’s reply (25 February 1945, 2pp);
• Letter from Sergeant Major D.J. Fitzgerald (R.M. Detachment) of H.M.S. Anson describing Fr Bodkin’s activities in Malta (4 June 1945, 3pp);
• Letters describing his trip to Hong Kong, his visit with the Mission there (12 August – 25 October 1945, 12 items);
• News of the various Jesuits in Hong Kong and how they have fared during the occupation;
• Description of Tokyo (December 1945, 2 items); a ‘rough memory draft’ of his expenditure (1p.)
• Draft copy of letter from the Provincial to Fr Bodkin concerning his finances (5 January 1946, 2pp) (letter was never sent).

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Laurence J. Kieran SJ from various Jesuits volunteering to become military chaplains following the outbreak of the Second World War. Includes letters from: Frs Michael J. Morrison SJ (See CHP2/29), Arthur Little SJ, Fr Edward J. Coyne SJ, Joseph Garland SJ, Thomas Shuley SJ, Richard Kennedy SJ (See CHP2/23), Leonard Sheil SJ, James McCann SJ and Michael Pelly SJ (See CHP2/33).

Copybook containing notes on a Retreat given by Fr John Conmee SJ in Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare. Notes made by Fr John A. Byrne SJ.

Letter to Fr Fergal McGrath SJ (Province Archivist, 1975 to 1986) from Fr Roland Burke Savage SJ (Clongowes Wood College), concerning the holograph manuscript of Hopkins’s 'St. Thecla' which Fr Burke-Savage discovered ‘while cleaning out Fr [Patrick] Connolly’s room (in St Ignatius, House of Writers, 35 Lower Leeson Street) when he was in (St.) Vincent’s having his leg set about 1948…I got leave from Engl(ish) Provincial to keep it on permanent loan.’

Copy letter from Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ to Fr Hurley concerning the change of Fr Joseph Hurley's status from Clongowes to Tullabeg. Includes a reply from Fr Hurley.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Gilbert Laithwaite (an Old Clongownian, 1907-1911) to whom Fr Gwynn frequently sent his publications.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Dr George Maguire concerning his late brother Conor, and a Fr Peter Golding, an Irish teacher at Clongowes Wood College (Dr. Maguire went to Clongowes from 1902 to 1907; Fr Gwynn from 1903 to 1908). Fr Richard Golding SJ taught Irish at CWC. Dr Maguire writes that his father taught Fr Golding Irish when he was living in Cong.

Pamphlets issued by the War Office on ‘The Abolition of flies in camps, billets and hospital. Circular Memorandum No.8.’, 24 June 1916, (7pp) and ‘Roman Catholic Chaplains. Information and Hints. British Armies in France. January 1917’, (21pp), possibly in the possession of Fr Henry Gill SJ. A section of ‘Roman Catholic Chaplains’ is underlined, where the chaplain should live, p.11, ‘with the Transport when the Battalion is in the trenches, unless by arrangement with the Senior Chaplain, it is decided that he shall be in the trenches’. Material hand in by Margaret Doyle, Archivist, Clongowes Wood College, 9 January 2017.

Holograph letters and one typewritten letter by Willie Doyle: as a schoolboy in Ratcliffe College, Leicestershire, England to his brother Bob and mother (30 May 1886 - 9 April 1887); as a Jesuit novice at St Stanislaus, Tullabeg, County Offaly to his mother and father, and sisters Mai and Lena (8 August 1891 - 9 July 1892); as a scholastic at Milltown Park, Dublin to his father and brother Bob (31 May - Christmas 1893) and to Brother Cahill on finishing his noviceship (8 June 1893) and at Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare to his mother and father, and brothers Bob and Charles (3 September 1894 - 23 August 1896).

Letter from Fr Charles Aylmer SJ, Rome, Italy to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ, Clongowes Wood, Naas, Kildare concerning domestic issues in Rome. Refers to a group of Polish fathers who are destined for Clongowes but remarks that he does not know when they will commence their journey. Refers to the General Congregation and the naming of the new Fr. General. Remarks 'You have no idea of all the imbroglios which I have witnessed here; men are men everywhere. I have so little that could edify you on the subject that I judge it more prudent not to enter upon it.' Asks to be remembered to members of the community in Clongowes Wood.

Letter from Fr Michael Kelly SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare to Irish Fr Provincial Laurence J Kieran SJ concerning the time Fr Joseph Hurley SJ rises in the morning.

A file of letters from Fr Matthias Bodkin SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ concerning a book he (Fr Bodkin) has been asked to write on Cardinal Pole.

Copy letter from Irish Fr Provincial John Fahy SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin expressing his concern, after visitation to Clongowes, at the lack of regularity in the spiritual life of Matthew Bodkin.

Letters to Fr Vincent Byrne SJ from various individuals including: note from Fr Kenny SJ, Clongowes Wood College, with instructions regarding a Mungret College villa (holiday) (June 1893, 2 items) and letter from Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kiernan SJ congratulating Fr Byrne on the occasion of his being seventy-five years in the Society of Jesus (2 items).

Photocopy of a newspaper cutting reporting on the blessing of the new science block in Clongowes and an address by Fr Hilary Lawton SJ.

Document signed by Father General Jean B. Janssens SJ appointing Fr Hilary Lawton SJ, Rector of Clongowes Wood College.

Letter from Fr Hilary Lawton SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ concerning changes in the course of studies of Clongowes he is planning. Seeks permission to travel to England, Holland and Belgium to see other methods of education at work.

Note from Irish Fr Provincial Michael O’Grady SJ to Fr Hilary Lawton SJ, congratulating him on his appointment as Rector of Clongowes.

Letter from Fr Hilary Lawton SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ concerning a legal matter and a sum of money.

Letter from Fr Hilary Lawton SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ concerning a query about his last vows.

Letter from Fr Joseph Hurley SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, county Kildare to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ acknowledging receipt of a letter from him.

Letters from Fr Joseph Hurley SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, county Kildare to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ.

Letter from Fr Joseph Hurley SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ seeking permission to visit relatives.

Letter from Fr Hurley, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, county Kildare to Fr Socius (acting on behalf of Fr Provincial) seeking permission to officiate at a wedding.

A file relating to Irish Fr Provincial's Laurence Kieran SJ, decision to postpone Fr Joseph Hurley's last vows.

Holograph letters and typewritten letters by Mr Willie Doyle SJ while: at Clongowes Wood College to his mother and father, and sister Lena (6 April 1897 - 1898); undertaking philosophy at Enghien, Belgium to his mother and father (2 October 1898 - 3 June 1899); at St. Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst College, England to his mother and father (14 October 1900 - 31 March 1901); at Clongowes Wood College to his mother and father, and sister Mai (18 December 1901 - 5 August 1903); undertaking theology at Milltown Park (23 December 1904 - Easter 1906).

From Fr Peter Kenney SJ to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Discusses the withdrawal of Irish Jesuits from their mission in the Isle of Man, with reference to the financial and logistical operations involved. Refers to the death of Fr Gahan, and the bishop’s reaction to it and to the departure of the Irish Jesuits. Also refers to Fr Aylmer’s reaction. Reports on the situation in Clongowes, and to the small amount of money received in the collections. Hopes that Fr Bracken will make his visitation within the month.

From Fr Peter Kenney SJ to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Announces that he will not be able to go to Tullabeg that year. Reports on the situation in Clongowes, and on the various Jesuits residents there. Reports also on the Jesuit mission in the Isle of Man, where Fr Aylmer stopped for a time to assess the situation. Refers to the debate on the question of whether the mission there should be retained by the Irish Jesuits, and also to the opening of a new chapel in Douglas.

Letter from Fr Robert Haly SJ, Clongowes Wood, Kildare to Fr Charles Aylmer SJ concerning Fr Gahan's will. Remarks that as one of the legatees named in the will he agrees to assign any property he is entitled to, to Dr. Briggs.