Letter from Fr Patrick Joy SJ, Mungret College, Limerick to Fr Coyne concerning Fr Bourke's wish to return to Ireland from Hong Kong by air.

Letter from Fr Albert Power SJ to Irish Provincial Fr John R. MacMahon SJ concerning the Australian Status.

Letter from Fr Thomas R Fitzgerald SJ, Sarahville, Corbally, Limerick to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ concerning a document from the Canossian Sisters in Hong Kong that was sent to Rome in the diplomatic mail bag.

Letter from Fr Eamon S. MacAndrís SJ, St Ignatius College, Galway to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ concerning the academic achievements in the school. Refers to the unfair questions put to students attending St Ignatius College by the Bishop during Confirmation. Refers to the attitude of the Patrician Brothers to the Jesuits in Galway.

Letter from Fr Patrick Joy SJ, St Mary's, Emo, Portarlington to Fr Coyne SJ concerning the sale of Loyola in Hong Kong and Fr Harold Craig SJ and his work in Calcutta.

Memorandum of agreements between Fr Robert Nash SJ and Brown & Nolan Limited, 41 42 Nassau street, Dublin, The Newman Press, Westminster, Maryland, U.S.A, M.H Gill & Son, 50 Upper O’ Connell Street, Dublin and Benziger Brothers, 6 - 8 Barclay street, New York 8, N.Y, U.S.A

• 2 March 1946, ‘Send forth thy light’;
• 23 July 1946, ‘Marriage, before and after’;
• 17 February 1947, ‘Send forth thy light – Part II’ (Thy light and thy truth);
• 15 October 1948, ‘The Riddle of Life’ afterwards called ‘Is life worthwhile’;
• 29 January 1949, ‘The Priest at his Prie - Dieu’;
• 14 November 1949 ‘The Nun at her Prie - Dieu’
• 9 August 1955, ‘Standing on holy ground’;
• 5 March 1959, ‘Ideals to live by’.

Includes issues such as delivery date, royalty payments and conditions of sale and resale.

File of correspondence between Fr Alan Birmingham SJ and his Irish Provincials.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Br Patrick Nolan SJ seeking permission to travel. Includes a poem by Br Nolan entitled 'Mary', given to Irish Fr Provincial at visitation at St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly (25 March 1946).

Letter from Fr Ladislaus Zabdyr SJ, Chikuni, PO Chisekesi, Northern Rhodesia to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin imploring him to respond to his request for Irish Jesuits to be sent to the mission (1p). With airgraph copy.

A file relating to assistance obtained by the Irish Province from the Irish Red Cross in sending telegrams and money to the Irish Jesuits in Shanghai.

Copy of a letter from Harold Craig SJ, Archbishop's House, Darjeeling, India to [ ] thanking him for sending a copy of the Irish Province News. Describes his journey from Hong Kong to India with Fr Thomas Ryan SJ, and off walks near San Dak Fu, views of Everest, and the porters (Sherpas).

Letters from Jeremiah Hogan SJ, Canisius College, Pittwater Road, Pymble, NSW to Irish Provincial Fr John R. MacMahon SJ concerning the results of the Irish Province, Theologians and to the Mission in Hong Kong. Remarks 'There are some civilians in Sydney who were in the prison camps at Hong Kong and gave us some more news. Besides Fr Bodkin has written about his experiences there.'

Correspondence between Fr John Foley SJ and his Irish Provincials.

File of material relating to Fr Joseph McSweeney's tour of duty as chaplain to the Royal Air Force in the Middle East after Second World War (material on Second World War check chaplain's file). Includes letters regarding going to Belfast in 1945 for medical examination, a letter from Fr Edmund D'Arcy SJ, 114 Mount Street, London to Irish Fr Provincial expressing his concern over Fr McSweeney. Remarks that Fr Blount, senior army chaplain , came to see him and said that he considered Fr McSweeney. to be '...very weary and ought to be brought home'. (28 July 1948, 2pp).

A file relating to army chaplains. Includes letters and memoranda relating to the non-payment of their salaries to the Hong Kong mission. Includes extracts from letters by Fr Matthias Bodkin SJ, a naval chaplain concerning news of the Irish Jesuits in Hong Kong.

Documents concerning the editorship of ‘St Joseph’s Sheaf’, the magazine of the St Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society.

Letters from Fr Leonard Sheil SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ and his Socius, Fr John Coyne SJ seeking permission to visit his brother’s widow and children. His brother was killed in the war, 1945.

Telegrams and letters to the Provincial from various sources following the death of Fr John Hayes SJ from typhus on 21 January 1945. Includes: telegram from the Rector of Crescent College Limerick to the Provincial (John McMahon SJ) informing him that the War Office had ‘wired Mrs. Hayes that Father John died of typhus Jan 21st’ (26 January 1945, 1p.);
– note of acknowledgement to the Provincial from Frank G. Hayes (Fr Hayes’ brother) (27 January 1945, 1p.);
– copy of letter sent to the Rector of Belvedere College (James Gubbins SJ) from Old Belvederian (1923-1931) and comrade of Fr Hayes, Captain W.A. Ward following the death of Fr Hayes (27 January 1945, 1p.);
– copy of letter sent by Joseph Gardner, S.C.F. (R.C.) (Senior Catholic Chaplain, Allied Land Forces, South East Asia) to Mgr. John Coghlan (Principal R.C. Chaplain, War Office, London) giving further details of Fr Hayes’ death (28 January 1945, 1p.);
– letter from Mgr. Coghlan to the Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ (29 January 1945; 2pp);
– letters from Rev. A. Clancy (Senior Catholic Chaplain, H.Q. 36th Division, South East Asia) and from Rev. J. Gardner, S.C.F. (R.C.) to Irish Fr Provincial John R McMahon SJ (29 January 1945, 2 items, 1p. each);
– copy of letter sent to Mrs. Hayes by her son’s Commanding Officer, Major-General Francis Festing, following his death (23 January 1945, 2pp);
– letter from Agnes Hayes to Irish Fr Provincial (13 February 1945, 1p.);
– letter to Irish Fr Provincial John R McMahon SJ from George Hickson, the chaplain who was with Fr Hayes before he died (15 February 1945, 3pp);
– copy of letter from Rev. J. Gardner to Fr D. Donnelly SJ (St. Stanislaus High School, Bandra, Bombay) listing the articles of ecclesiastical equipment of the late Fr Hayes, which Fr Gardner is sending to Fr Donnelly (17 March 1945, 1p.);
– copy of an Appreciation of Fr Hayes written by Rev. Terence M. Hogan, C.F. (R.C.)(Fr Hayes’ Senior Chaplain for six months) (19 March 1945, 1p.) and
– label tags ‘O.H.M.S. Deceased Officer’s Kit’ for Fr Hayes’ property (n.d., 3 items).

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Richard Kennedy SJ from the 5th Replacement Camp, Manila, Philippines, Military Hospital, Moira, County Down and the College of the Rhine Army, Göttingen, following his time as a Japanese POW. immediately

Letter from F. I. Little, 28 Rathgar Road, Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial thanking the Provincial for his kind letter regarding Fr Arthur Little SJ. Remarks ‘I quite understand and sympathise with you and his position in the matter. So long as his health remains...things will be fairly satisfactory and we can only be patient till circumstances improve.’

File of material relating to Fr Alan Birmingham SJ. Includes photograph, announcement of his death and obituaries, letter from Rosie Birmingham, 16 Roebuck Road, Clonskeagh, Dublin to Fr O'Brien, upon Fr Birmingham's death and letters from Fr Thomas J. Martin SJ, Mission Office, Upper Gardiner Street Dublin to Fr Birmingham.

File of correspondence between Fr Patrick J O'Brien SJ and his Irish Provincials. Material mainly relates to his departure to and arrival at the Chikunii Mission, Northern Rhodesia, 1946.

Letters from Rt. Rev. R. O. Hall, Lord Bishop of Victoria, Hong Kong and The Home Farm, Lewknor, Oxford to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin concerning grant in aid schools and the possibility of obtaining an advance of the grants in order to get schools started. Includes a copy of a reply from Fr MacMahon SJ.

A file of telegrams and one letter from Fr Eddie Bourke SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the Hong Kong mission.

Letter from Fr William Hackett SJ, Xavier College, Kew, Victoria to Irish Provincial Fr John R. MacMahon SJ thanking him for his telegram on the occasion of his jubilee. Refers to his work as assistant to Catholic Action.

A file of letters from Rev. John Moyersoen SJ, 32 Park Street, Calcutta to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ concerning the Irish Jesuits who took up positions in the Indian mission following their temporary departure from Hong Kong during the war.

Irish Jesuit Mission bequest from James Daly, St Jarlath’s Place, Bishop Street, Tuam, County Galway.

Catalogue entry, obituary, and correspondence concerning Fr Gerard Guinane SJ. Includes letters relating to his nomination to the board of the IRFU (10 May - 17 June 1968, 4 items).

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial John R McMahon SJ from Mgr John M. Coghlan (Principal Chaplain (R.C.) concerning the chaplains’ release from the Army; the War Office’s request to retain the services of a number of them and the urgent need for Jesuits to work on the Hong Kong Mission. Includes copy letter to Fr Edward J. Warner SJ (Staff Chaplain to Mgr. Coghlan) from the Irish Fr Provincial in reply to the War Office’s request to retain the services of Fr Conal Murphy SJ. ‘I am sorry to say that I am worse off than ever for men, having received the other day a cable from Fr Joy, the Superior of our Hong Kong Mission, asking me to send out twelve men. As he and his fellow-missioners have been through a very rough time, as you can well imagine, I am anxious to send this help as soon as possible…I regret very much, then, that I cannot spare Fr Murphy, as I know by experience what it means to have vacancies yawning wide around one and none to fill them!’ (1 October 1945, 2pp).
Also includes letters to Irish Fr Provincial concerning Fr Richard Kennedy ‘ex P.O.W. from (the) Far East’ (7 January 1946 – 17 January 1947, 5 items).

Letter from Fr Ladislaus Zabdyr SJ, Chikuni, PO Chisekesi, Northern Rhodesia to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin concerning the news that the Irish Province is to send Irish Jesuits to Northern Rhodesia. Explains the situation in the mission. Remarks 'Any man that can be spared and is willing to come will be welcome because at any time one can expect that some one of those still at work here may break down…'.

Telegram from Fr James McNamara SJ, Australia to Irish Fr Provincial remarking 'All safe and well'.

A file of correspondence relating to an article by Séamus O'Neill on Irish Maritime History submitted for publication in 'Studies'. Includes letters from the author enquiring why there was a delay in communicating a decision concerning the publication of his article.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Joseph McSweeney SJ written while serving as a chaplain in the R.A.F. at R.A.F. College, Cosford, Wolverhampton and at R.A.F. Station, Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire. Includes his first letter to the Irish Fr Provincial written from Cosford (June 1945, 1p.).

Letter from Fr Hilary Lawton SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, county Kildare to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ asking permission to spend a few nights in Dublin.

File relating to the admission of Derek Reid to the Society of Jesus and the taking of vows.

Biographical information on Br William Glanville SJ and correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials. Includes a photograph of Br William Glanville SJ and Fr Sean Noonan SJ, September 1957, and mortuary card.

Letter from Fr Arthur Little SJ, St Stanislaus College, Tullamore, County Offaly to Irish Fr Provincial agreeing to carry out a task assigned to him by Irish Fr Provincial.

Letter from Fr Lawton, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ declaring his willingness to act as a chaplain to the forces.

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial John MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Dublin to Fr Thomas Ryan SJ, Chungking, China relating to news about Jesuit works, Irish Jesuits and their travels and work, recent deaths, schools and contemporaries of Fr Ryan.

A file relating to an article written by Fr Patrick Gannon SJ in the 'Irish Ecclesiastical Record' supporting a fellow Jesuit's interpretation of a passage in St. Mark. This article sparked a controversy as Fr Gannon's views were disagreed with by Cardinal MacRory (and other eminent scripture scholars). Includes a letter from Fr John R MacMahon SJ (Fr Provincial), St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin to Fr Byrne SJ concerning the controversy. Remarks 'In reply to a letter from Fr Gannon, I wrote to him to say that I could not allow him to pursue the discussion about St. Mark III, 20 - 21 any further…that I would not approve of his seeking an interview with the Cardinal; that he might write to the Cardinal, but that I would have to see a draft of the letter beforehand.' Remarks that he received a reply from Fr Gannon and includes a passage from the letter describing it thus 'He is taking a most extravagant view of the situation.' (15 April 1945, 1p). Includes a copy of a letter from Fr Provincial (Fr MacMahon SJ) concerning a letter Fr Gannon wishes to write to Cardinal MacRory regarding the difference of opinion between the two men. Remarks 'Let me assure you (and I wish I could convince you) that you are taking far too tragic a view of the whole business. If you could put it out of your mind for a month, you would, I am confident, take a more tranquil view of things.' (26 January 1945, 1p). It would appear from the file that Fr Gannon was not able to put the matter out of his mind and that it was only as a result of his death in 1953 that the matter was laid to rest. It would also appear that Fr Gannon's view was gaining some support amongst scripture scholars when he died.

Irish Jesuit Mission bequest from Nora Hubbard, Dromatimore, Coachford, County Cork.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Anthony MacSeumais SJ written while serving as chaplain in the R.A.F. at R.A.F. Stations in Cosford, Wolverhampton, Staffs. and Leuchars, Fife, Scotland; with the 5023 Airfield Construction Squadron in Holland and Germany and 124 Wing in Lübeck. Includes his first letter to the Irish Fr Provincial written from Belfast (March 1944, 2pp) and letter in which he lists all the places he has served since arriving in Belgium (1 June 1945, 4pp). This letter also contains Fr MacSeumais’s only reference to Belsen Concentration Camp. Also includes Fr MacSeumais’s memorial card (with photograph) (Fr MacSeumais died on 13 January 1989).

Correspondence relating to Roderick Greaney’s life the Society of Jesus, catalogue entries and death notices.

A file of letters from Christopher Hollis, Burns, Oates and Washbourne Ltd., 28 Ashley Place, London to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin concerning Fr Thomas Ryan's book. Refers to a proposal to publish the book in Australia. Includes reviews of the book.

A file relating to a proposal by Dr Fehily of the Colonial Office that some Jesuits be incorporated in the Welfare Mission which he is leading to Hong Kong following the liberating army.

A file relating to Fr Patrick Cashman SJ including information on his health and letters from friends and penitents when a decision was made to transfer Fr Cashman from Galway to Dublin, asking Irish Fr Provincial to reconsider his decision. Includes catalogue entry.

'Church History for Schools' by 'Fr Jerome Mahony SJ.

A file of letters from Fr Patrick Grogan SJ to Irish Fr Provincial written from India where many of the Irish Jesuits went to from Hong Kong during the war. Describes the work he has been assigned to in India.

Letter from Fr Joseph McSweeney SJ, Milltown Park, Dublin to the Irish Fr Provincial concerning the death of his mother.

File of correspondence between Fr Denis Carroll SJ and his Irish Provincials.

Correspondence, mainly between Irish Fr Provincial and Monsignor James Moynagh, Prefect Apostolic at Kiltegan, County Wicklow, concerning Mgr. Moynagh’s proposals to establish a Catholic hostel for West African students attending the National University in Dublin. Includes copies of letters: from Archbishop McQuaid and others, to Mgr. Moynagh; from Mgr. Moynagh to Fr S. Harrington (Provincial of The Society of African Missions) and to Irish Fr Provincial John McMahon SJ and Fr Provincial’s reply.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial mostly from various Jesuit Superiors/Rectors seeking Irish Jesuits to fill teaching and other posts left vacant following and during the War. Includes requests from Bombay, Madeira, Calcutta, Ceylon and Malta.

Letter from Fr Donal O'Sullivan SJ, La Retraite, Western Road, Cork to Irish Fr Provincial welcoming the Emo community to visit Tullabeg.

Extract of a letter from Irish Fr Provincial to Fr John Neary SJ (Rector), St Mary's, Emo concerning a site for a cemetery in Emo. Remarks, 'I...have come to the conclusion that on the rare occasions of deaths in Emo, the interment should take place in Tullabeg.'

Irish Jesuit Mission bequest from Rose Coulter, Limerick.

A file relating to the road widening scheme at Rathfarnham and work carried out by Dublin Corporation on part of the boundary wall of Rathfarnham Castle and the subsequent problems that arose due to the Corporation's failure to complete the work. Includes a letter from Tom Bacon, Solicitor (acting on behalf of the Jesuit Fathers), 9 Clare Street, Dublin to Fr McDonald SJ Remarks 'This matter has taken a new and interesting turn... Mr Beausang (Dublin Corporation).. .explained his predicament. Apparently in his final anxiety to get the work through he agreed our terms without obtaining any additional estimates as to the cost... Mr Beausang states that there is a deficiency of at least £7,000...There is no fund out of which this deficiency can be met...Mr Beausang's first suggestion was that the Jesuit Fathers would make a grant to the corporation of half the increased cost namely £3,500. When he was told that this was out of the question it was then suggested that you might disclaim the acquisition money £2,000.' (11 October 1956, 3pp).

Biographical information, obituaries and memorial card of Fr Cyril Perrott SJ (4 items). Military file 3601/CH(RC) which contains various documents belonging to Fr Cyril Perrott taken from Irish Provincialate (2010). Includes:

• 6 black and white photographs of unknown people (perhaps niece and brother who lived in Western Australia, and brother who was a Jesuit in Western Australia);
• details of his successful application for rate of pay increase;
• release certificate;
• details of medical prescription;
• receipt for demand for civilian clothing;
• document outlining principles and priestly duties;
• tax requests;
• request and reply for contingency allowance;
• documents outlining ration cards and national registration on return to the United Kingdom and instructions to personnel released or invalided during release period to Eire who are granted leave with pay and who are eligible for medical attendance etc, under army regulations (1945/46);
• claim for award of 1939/45 Star/Burma Star/Defence Medal;
• obituary (1952);
• card to be shown by celebret whenever a Chaplain wishes to say Mass;
• officers’ kit insurance;
• copy of gospel in funeral Mass and
• letters from Captain George P. Grossmith.

Notes and letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning manuscripts in the British Museum relating to Archbishop Lanfranc and St Anselm. Includes note (6 April 1943) with ‘Notes taken at Aberystwyth – where B.M. MSS were stored in 1943.’

A file relating to correspondence between the Irish Province and the Provincial of the Portuguese Province. The file relates to the Portuguese Mission in Macao and the Portuguese Provincial's wish that the Irish Province take over the Jesuit institutions in the Macao Diocese and to accept the mission territory at present cared for by the Portuguese Province.

A file of correspondence between Bartholomew J. Duffy, 82 Kenilworth Square, Rathgar, Dublin and Fr Coyne SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin regarding information on Jesuits, native to the Diocese of Elphin for a history of the Elphin Diocese by Fr M. J. Connellan (a friend of Bartholomew Duffy). Includes a request for information of Fr John Bannon SJ who was born in County Roscommon (9 September 1943, 3pp). Includes a biographical sketch of Fr Bannon, S.J. (n.d., 5pp).

A file of sympathy letters and telegrams following the death of Fr Timothy Corcoran SJ.

Irish jesuit Mission bequest from Joseph Carroll, 50 Shandon Park, Philsboro, Dublin.

A file of letters from various individuals living and working in Hong Kong to Irish Fr Provincial concerning their work in the Hong Kong mission.

Airgraph from Fr John B Moyersoen SJ, 32, Park street, Calcutta, India to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ, Dublin, replying to ‘Your airgraph of 27th ult.’. Mentions writing to Fr Marin and Fr Donnelly and ‘We often see Fr Naughton’.

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 and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Laurence Kearns SJ written during his time as a chaplain serving with various anti-aircraft units: 117 Z.A.A. Battery, 7 (M) Z.A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery: Stockton-on-Tees; 107 Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Surrey; 32 Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade: France; 52nd Lowland Scottish Infantry Division, 157 Infantry Brigade: Holland, Germany, Belsen and in Garrisson Catholic Church, Bordon, Hants. Includes:

• his first letter to the Provincial from Edinburgh (18 September 1943, 2pp);
  – photographs of Fr Kearns blessing the graves of British falen 1940 and his driver, Liet. Joseph McPatlan (November, December 1944, 6 items: 8½cm x 6cm);
  – copies of extracts from Irish Province News on the chaplains (14 – 28 January 1945, 2 items, 1p. each);
  – letters describing his car accident (24 June 1945, 8pp), operations to rebuild his damaged face and his convalescence (11 July – 21 December 1945, 5 items).

Correspondence between Fr Fergal McGrath SJ, Rector, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin and Mr. G. P. Broderick, Director, John Smyth & Sons Ltd, Ecclesiastical Art Manufacturer, 1-5, Wicklow Lane, Wicklow Street regarding the removal of the 33 stones from one monstrance, cleaning and transfer to the O'Mara monstrance. Includes insurance quote by Coyle & Co. Brokers, Insurance Brokers of diamond monstrance (valuation of stones £3,500 and mounting £500) and valuation of T Kelly, Jeweller & Silversmith, 8 Westmoreland Street, Dublin for diamond monstrance £3,540 (3 December 1942) and silver gilt monstrance £1,980 and old monstrance £2,240 (2 March 1943).

File of correspondence between Fr Seán Turner SJ and Irish Fr Provincials.

Letter from Fr Richard Devane SJ, Milltown Park, Dublin to Fr Socius concerning a piece of music entitled 'Humanesque Egotistique', a solo for a trombone with brass accompaniment. Remarks that [he] has been thinking of writing an article.

Material relating to Fr Joseph B Conway SJ including details of entry to the Society of Jesus, catalogue entry, photograph and correspondence.

A file of letters from scholastics studying in the scholasticate, Zi-Ka-Wei, Shanghai, China to Irish Fr Provincial concerning their studies and lives in Shanghai.

A file of consultor's letters from Fr Andrew J O'Reilly SJ, St Ignatius College, Galway to Irish Fr Provincial concerning Religious Knowledge examinations in the College, the church, a meeting with the Bishop and the community.

Letter from Au Sik Ling, 22 Danby Grove, Thornaby-in-Tees, Yorkshire to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ concerning a letter he brought from Fr Ryan in Kweiliu, the capital of the southern province of Kwangsi in China.

Copy of a letter from Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin to Rev James E. Walsh MM, Bishop of [ ], Superior General, Catholic Foreign Mission, Society of America sympathising over the death of the Vicar General of Maryknoll.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial, mostly from Fr Leonard Sheil SJ, relating to his Mission work throughout Ireland. Includes:

• letters concerning a Retreat given by Fr Sheil in Killorglin, County Kerry, a lecture in Cashel, County Tipperary and Missions in Cobh, County Cork and Harrington Street, Dublin (24 November 1943 - 7 August 1945, 6 items);
• letter from Fr Sheil offering to ‘go to any country where…I would be of use in the service of God, Africa, Australia, China or the Continent.’ Also seeks permission to become the Spiritual Director of the International Catholic Girls’ Protection Society (see also J16/5). ‘Their work (they are some thirty years in existence in Dublin) was chiefly the meeting and protecting of girls travelling, especially to England. Now it includes a registry office of which the object is to find work for girls in Ireland and so obviate the necessity of going to England.…They hope to start a small training hostel for domestics. The Archbishop is very favourable.…I have given their radio broadcast for the past five years, bringing in £100 more or less each year. The work of the Spiritual Director would be to attend the monthly meeting of the Committee…and on these occasions to give what assistance he can as a priest.…In favour of it,…it offers a field of work for youth; and…perhaps no class of youth needs help more than the young country girl, perhaps from a convent orphanage, who comes to Dublin to domestic service…’ (21 Feb. 1946, 3pp);
• letter from Socius Fr John Coyne SJ to the Irish Provincial relating to a report in the 'Irish Press' of a lecture on ‘Friends of Soviet Russia’ given by Fr Sheil to the Ringsend C.Y.M.S. in which Fr Sheil referred to Dáil Éireann members as ‘frightful loafers’. Encloses clipping of report (2 Dec. 1946, 1p.) and letter from Fr Sheil to Fr Coyne explaining the circumstances of the lecture (n.d., 2pp);
• letter from Fr Sheil reporting on a number of young men who wish to join the Society and his activities on a recent visit to the North of Ireland (2 Apr. 1947, 4pp) and
• letter to the Irish Provincial Fr Thomas Byrne SJ from Dr Edward Doorly, Bishop of Elphin stating ‘Father Sheil did not give any offence worth mentioning and further…he gave a splendid Retreat to the priests’ (18 May 1949, 1p.).

Covering letter from R.M. Sweetman, father of Fr Michael Sweetman SJ, Derrybawn, Glendalough, County Wicklow, to Fr John MacErlean SJ, enclosing the pedigrees of Frs Lyonel Sweetman and Michael Sweetman.

Letters to Irish Fr Provincial John MacMahon SJ from Fr Alan Birmingham SJ written during his time as a chaplain attached to the 2nd Battalion, The Loyal Regiment in Sussex and Northern Ireland; 32 Casualty Clearing Station in England and France; 4 Army Group Royal Artillery, B.L.A. in France and Germany; 150th Infantry Brigade in Southern India and the Indian Artillery Centre, Kamaredi. Includes description of his role in the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944 (16 November 1944, 4pp) and his last letter written on his way home (29 September 1946, 2pp).

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ to the Rector of St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street in the appointment of Rev. Alexis Magni to the office of Vicar-General which entitles him to ‘the full powers of a General till such time as a successor to the late Fr Ledochowski has been appointed’ and ‘the powers of Visitor granted Fr Dugre on 9 April 1939 will remain in force till they are revoked’.

Letter from J. E. Walsh, Superior General, Maryknoll, New York to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's Church, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin concerning notes sent from China intended for the Irish Province.

Letter from the Maryknoll Fathers, Maryknoll, New York addressed 'Dear Friend' offering the services of the Maryknoll Fathers in Chungking, Free China in forwarding mail to people in China.

Material relating to Br Albert Kelly SJ including letter by Br Kelly to the Irish Fr Provincial and a letter from Fr L. D. Murphy SJ, Loyola Colege, Madras, India (4 September 1950), which details the death Fr Kelly's broter, Ferdinand, and that his father is still alive, aged 86.

Letter from Thomas Keogh, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Braganza House, Carlow to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ complimenting Fr Counihan's retreat to priests in Carlow.

Ordination of Patrick J O'Brien SJ to the Society of Jesus.

A file of letters from Fr Joseph J. McAsey SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the Hong Kong mission.

Letter from Rome, granting permission to the Society of Jesus to allow members of the public to attend Mass at St Mary's, Emo.

Letter from Michael Browne, Bishop of Galway, Mount St Mary's, Galway to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ asking permission for Fr Edward J Coyne SJ to be present at a meeting of the vocation organisation commission.

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Michael O'Meara SJ written during his time as a chaplain in Squire’s Gate Camp, Lytham St Annes, Blackpool; Abbots Lea, Woolton, Liverpool; Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire; Park Lea, Park Lane, Salford; Upper Chine School, Shanklin, Isle of Wight; with the 44th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade, B.L.A. in France and Holland; 8th Infantry Brigade, B.A.O.R. in Egypt and I.S. Lan. R., M.E.F. in Egypt.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Michael Pelly SJ written while serving as a chaplain with 11th York and Lancaster Regiment (218th Infantry Brigade); in Otley, West Yorkshire; The Military Hospital, York; with the British North Africa Force in North Africa; 1st Battalion, The Buffs, C.M.F. in Italy; in 93rd British General Hospital, C.M.F. and in the School of Infantry, Warminster, Wiltshire. Includes Fr Pelly’s first letter to the Provincial written from Bridlington (23 April 1942, 1p.) and letters describing the monastery of Cassino following the battle of Monte Cassino (30 May 1944, 2pp), being in Rome on the day it was taken by the Allies and his ‘semi-private audience with the Pope’ (30 June, 29 July 1944, 2 items).

Letters from Fr Daniel McDonald SJ, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ concerning Chinese language studies for Irish Jesuits bound for the Chinese mission.

A file of letters from Fr John Meagher SJ (Vice-Provincial of the Vice-Province 25 August 1939-1 October 1947) to Irish Fr Provincial (John R. MacMahon SJ and Thomas Byrne). Includes a letter referring to an offer by the Apostolic Delegate to take a minor seminary in New Zealand in 1947. Asks if four or five young priests could be sent out. Remarks 'We have offers of work from practically every Bishop in Australia and must refuse for want of men. Our recruiting is bad and I really don't know what to do to remedy the trouble.' (10 November 1945, 1p). Includes a letter referring to a request by Fr Dan O'Connell SJ for Fr Richard Ingram SJ to help with his work in the Riverview Observatory. (18 March 1946, 1p). Includes a number of letters concerning Fr Cooney and his ill health. Includes a letter remarking 'He (Fr Cooney) wants to return to Hong Kong in September but I think you realise his return there would probably settle his chances of ever doing any more work...I think that Fr Cooney will never be really fit to return to Hong Kong (15 May 1946, 1p). Includes a letter referring to proposals to open colleges in Adelaide and Brisbane. Remarks due to the shortage of Jesuit Fathers that this is impossible. (27 June 1946, 1p).

Documents relating to the death of the Very Rev. Wlodimir Ledóchowski, General of the Society on 13 December 1942. Includes: copies of cuttings from various Irish newspapers (11 - 19 December 1942, 12 items); calling cards received by the Irish Fr Provincial (includes card from William T Cosgrave) (8 items) and telegrams and letters of condolence sent by the Bishop of Raphoe, various religious congregations and organisations, William T Cosgrave, the Papal Nuncio, Dr John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin and the Lord Mayor of Dublin. (Includes full list of those who sent messages of sympathy) (14 - 23 December 1942, 39 items).

Letters concerning the relationship between the Society of Jesus and the Legion of Mary and the Legion’s 1943 Dundalk Missionary Display. Includes letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Archbishop McQuaid.

Documents relating to the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart founded by Fr James Cullen SJ. Includes: correspondence between the Irish Fr Provincial, the office of the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr John Charles McQuaid and Fr Seán McCarron SJ of the P.T.A.A.; memoranda concerning minutes of meetings, annual reports and statistics. Also includes edited text on Fr James Cullen SJ and documents relating to indulgences for Pioneers.

Letter from Michael Browne, Bishop of Galway, Mount St Mary's, Galway to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ asking him to allow Fr Edward J Coyne SJ devote as much time to the Vocation Organisation Committee over the coming months so that the report may be compiled; includes a copy reply from Fr MacMahon remarking that Fr. Coyne will '...devote to the preparation of the report of the Commission all the time and energy available.' (20 March 1942, 1p).

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Thomas J Martin SJ written while serving as chaplain with the 4th King’s Own Scottish Borders in Alloa, Clackmannonshire and Buckie, Banff, Scotland; with the 155th Infantry Brigade in Scotland; the 12th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Essex, France and Holland and while based in Palace Barracks, Holywood, Northern Ireland. Fr Martin was sent home from Holland as a result of an eye infection and was released from the Army on health grounds at the end of 1945/beginning of 1946.

A file relating to research carried out by Fr Fergal McGrath SJ on his family tree.

Documents relating to the wording of forms of charitable bequests to the Society. Includes examples of different bequest forms, memorandum for Irish Fr Provincial on charitable bequests and letters to Irish Fr Provincial on the matter.

A file relating to the exception taken by the ecclesiastical authorities of the Archdiocese of Dublin to two sentences in a review of an American book entitled Religious Instruction and Education in the September issue of Studies (1942). Includes letters from Archbishop John Charles McQuaid to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ concerning the issue.

A file of letters from Fr Thomas F. Ryan SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the Hong Kong mission during the Second World War and his work in Hong Kong afterwards.

Material relating to Fr Patrick G Kennedy SJ including correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and memorandum of agreement for the publication of 'Birds of Ireland' by P.G. Kennedy SJ, Robert F. Ruttledge and C.F. Scroope.