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Collection
Irish Jesuit houses of formation
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Loyola House, Dromore, County Down

In 1883, the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) purchased from Edward and James Quinn, Dromore house and estate in County Down. It had been the former palace of the Church of Ireland bishop of Dromore. The Jesuits renamed it Loyola House, and ran it as a novitiate house (house of first formation for Jesuits). The decision to move to Dromore from Milltown Park, Dublin was twofold. Firstly, Jesuits from University College at Temple Street had moved to Milltown Park, meaning that the building occupied by the novices was required. As a result, Milltown Park was overcrowded and deemed unsuitable as a novitiate. Secondly, Monsignor William McCartan, parish priest of Dromore made an offer of Dromore house and estate to the Jesuits. McCartan had been entrusted in the will of the late Miss Anna Magennis to oversee the establishment of a religious order in Dromore and he encouraged the Jesuits to establish a house in Dromore. In 1887, Fr Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889) wrote two sonnets while staying there. The novitiate house operated for four years and closed in 1888 when the Jesuits novices moved to St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, King’s County. The Jesuits retained possession of the property until January 1918, when it was sold.

The papers of Loyola House, Dromore, Down concern its purchase (1883-1889), legal and rental matters (1883 -1917), finances (1885-1917) and accounts (1883-1887), maintenance (1890-1918) and sale (1896-1918). Includes some historical notes on Dromore. Material is in the form of letters, deeds, plans and maps.

Irish Vice-Province of the Society of Jesus, 1830-

St Mary's, Emo, County Laois

Emo Court, County Laois was under Jesuit ownership from 1930 until 1969. Now in the hands of the Office of Public Works, the history of Emo dates back to the Earls of Portarlington in the eighteenth century. The first earl, John Dawson, commissioned the building of Emo Court in 1790; it is one of only a few private houses designed by the architect James Gandon. The Portarlington’s sold Emo in 1920 to the Land Commission and the Jesuits purchased the property in 1930, to be used as a novitiate (house of first formation). The Jesuits found Emo in a dilapidated state, with grass growing up through the floorboards. They made significant structural changes in order for it to function as a novitiate rather than as a family home. Many items were removed however they were stored in the basement (fireplace wrapped in blankets). Renowned photographer, Fr Frank Browne SJ, was one of the first Jesuits to take up residence there and he took many photographs of Emo Court.

In 1969, the Jesuits sold Emo to Major Cholmeley Dering Cholmeley-Harrison. He restored the house, sparing no expense, and donated it to the Irish State in 1995. In 2012 the Office of Public Works opened a permanent exhibition on Fr Frank Browne SJ at Emo Court.

The papers of St Mary’s, Emo concern the management of the Emo estate (1900-1995), establishment of the Jesuit community (1928-1930), maintenance, upkeep and expenditure (1931-1970), forestry and the sale of Emo (1969-1970; 1995). There is some material on the Jesuit community (1934-1962) and novitiate (1930-1969) however there is very little in the way of information on individual novices. Material is in the form of handwritten letters, ledgers, architectural plans, maps and photographs.

Rector/Superior of St Mary's, Emo:
Patrick Kenny, Vice-Superior, 31 July 1930;
John Deevy, Vice-Superior, 29 July 1932;
John Deevy, Rector, 7 October 1937;
John Neary, Vice-Rector, 30 July 1944;
Jerome Mahony, Vice-Rector, 30 July 1945;
Thomas Byrne, Rector, 2 June 1947;
Donal O'Sullivan, Rector, 15 August 1947;
Timothy Mulcahy, Rector, 10 October 1959;
Patrick Cusack, Rector, 21 November 1961;
Joseph Dargan, Rector, 26 June 1968;
The noviceship changes to Manresa House, Dollymount, 12 September 1969.

Master of Novices, St Mary's, Emo:
Martin Maher; July 1930;
John Coyne;
John Neary; October 1934
Donal O'Sullivan
Paddy Cusack
Joseph Dargan, 1968-1969

St Mary's, Emo, Laois, 1930-1969

Photocopy of 'Irish Province News', which describes the death on 27 June 1950 of postulant Mr John Callaghan

Photocopy of entry in the Irish Province News, October 1950, which describes the death on 27 June 1950 of postulant Mr John Callaghan, who fell on the scullery stairs.

In course of conversation in 2015, between Damien Burke and Jim McCabe, ascertained that John Callaghan carrying delph down the stairs to the basement when he slipped and hit his head.

Account of the funeral of the Countess of Portarlington

Account of the funeral of the Countess of Portarlington, taken from the 'Leinster Express'. Lady Portarlington was buried at Emo Park, Queen’s County (Laois). Includes references to Frs Robert Carbery and William Delaney.

The Countess was buried in the graveyard beside the church, and a memorial to her was also erected in Coolbanagher church by her sister the Duchess of Marlborough.

Letter from J. A. Kenny and Partners, Consulting Engineers to Rev. William Dargan SJ concerning the account for the centralisation of the boiler plant at Emo

Letter from Eoin Kenny, J. A. Kenny and Partners, Consulting Engineers, 44 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 to Rev. William Dargan SJ, 84 Eglinton Road, Dublin 4 concerning the account for the centralisation of the boiler plant at Emo. Includes a detailed account of the cost of the work carried out.

J. A. Kenny and Partners, Consulting Engineers

Sketch map of the Clochar, Emo

Sketch map of the Clochar. Shows the layout of the gardens and the species of trees and plants. The Clochar (or Clucker) comes from the Irish word for convent. 'There is also a story that this part of the garden was where the maids in the house were allowed to come to gossip and relax – hens clucking!'

Letter from Laurence J. McCabe, Jackson-Stops and McCabe, to Fr William Dargan SJ concerning items to be included in the sale of Emo

Letter from Laurence J. McCabe, Jackson-Stops and McCabe, Auctioneers, Valuers and Estate Agents, 8 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 to Fr William Dargan SJ, 85 Eglinton Road, Dublin 4 concerning items to be included in the sale of Emo. Includes the list of items.

Jackson, Stops and McCabe, auctioneers

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial to Rector [St Mary's, Emo] concerning books needed by the Australian Province for five scholastics from Hong Kong

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin to Rector [St Mary's, Emo] concerning books needed by the Australian Province for five scholastics from Hong Kong. Refers also to a Scholastic who wishes now to be a Brother. Asks if the individual must do the Noviceship again. Includes a page with pencil notations.

Kieran, Laurence J, 1881-1945, Jesuit priest

Beadle's journal for St Mary's, Emo

Beadle's journal for St Mary's, Emo. The Beadle was the head novice and kept a record of the daily activities of the novices. The Beadle was normally appointed for a three month period. A list of beadles is given on inside page. In the English Province the Beadle was known as the Novice's Porter.

Letter from the Bishop of Ferns concerning the Society of Jesus' desire to establish a community house in the Diocese of Ferns

Letter from William Codd, Bishop of Ferns, Summerhill, County Wexford to Irish Fr Provincial John Fahy SJ concerning the Society of Jesus' desire to establish a community house in the Diocese of Ferns. Remarks 'They have about a score of applications from Religious Congregations and Orders for permission to take up property here within the past few years...they made an exhaustive inquiry as to whether the needs of any part of the diocese or of the whole would admit the introduction of a new congregation...they came to the unanimous conclusion that they could see no need at all for this.'

Codd, William, 1864-1938, Roman Catholic Bishop of Ferns

Letter from Fr Charles O'Connor SJ to Fr Rector, St Mary's, Emo describing how the Society became beneficiaries in the will of Rebecca Codd

Letter from Fr Charles O'Connor SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare to Fr Joseph Dargan SJ, Rector, St Mary's, Emo describing how the Society became beneficiaries in the will of Rebecca Codd and the items that were left to the Society in her will.

O'Connor, Charles E, 1920-2014, Jesuit priest

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial to Fr Joseph Dargan SJ, Rector, St Mary's, Emo thanking him for sending Fr O'Connor's letter regarding the Codd bequest

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial Cecil McGarry SJ to Fr Joseph Dargan SJ, Rector, St Mary's, Emo thanking him for sending Fr O'Connor's letter regarding the Codd bequest. Remarks that he is going to offer the library, the portraits and the bust to Clongowes Wood College.

McGarry, Cecil, 1929-2009, Jesuit priest

'There was an Ancient House' by Benedict Kiely

Book entitled 'There was an Ancient House' by Benedict Kiely, Methusen and Co Ltd, London. A novel where ‘in a country house thirty novices of a religious order are learning a new, strange life, some failing, others succeeding in conforming to the pattern laid down by rule’. Benedict Kiely was a novice at St Mary's, Emo

Kiely, Benedict, 1919-2007, writer, critic, journalist and former Jesuit novice

Milltown Park, Dublin

The papers of Milltown Park concern the Jesuit community (1861-1979) and works which have occurred there: Tabor House (1969-1993); The Milltown Institute (1968-1992) and The Irish School of Ecumenics (1969-1980). There are references to the missions, chaplaincy, villas, finances, customs, property retreats, library, customs, rules, studies, health, staff, ordinations, the establishment and eventual closure of a retreat centre at Tabor House, the foundation of courses in theology and philosophy for the training of religious and lay people, Milltown Lectures (1960-1970), Lay Retreat Association and the establishment of the Irish School of Ecumenics.

Material is in the form of handwritten letters, ledgers, postcards, accounts, architectural plans, cuttings from newspapers, maps, photographs, menus, bills and receipts.

Milltown Park, Dublin, 1858-

Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin

In 1913, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) purchased the 16th century-built Rathfarnham Castle from a Dublin building company, Bailey and Gibson. Initially, the plan was for a noviciate for Jesuit novices and in time, for working men’s retreats to be established at the Castle. However, by September 1913, this had changed to a house of studies for those Jesuits attending university. This decision was made following the change of regulations to the National University requiring students to attend lectures whereas previously they could be prepared for examinations elsewhere. The Jesuit Juniors as they were known would live at the Castle and cycle to lectures at University College Dublin, then located at Earlsfort Terrace in the centre of Dublin.

The papers of Rathfarnham Castle concern: the management of Rathfarnham Castle (1911-1995); the Jesuit community (1913-1985); the history of Rathfarnham Castle (1912-1994); the farm (1917-1920); the seismograph (1918-1954) and retreats (1922-1995). Material is in the form of letters, plans, maps and photographs.

Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin

Conveyance - Most Noble John Henry Loftus of Ely, Ely Lodge, County Fermanagh

Parties:
Most Noble John Henry Loftus of Ely, Ely Lodge, County Fermanagh and The Right Honorable Francis Blackburne, Lord Chief Justice of Her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench of Ireland, Roebuck Hall, County Dublin.

Property:
Rathfarnham House, Parish of Rathfarnham, Barony of Newcastle, County Dublin.

Terms and Conditions:
For and during the lives and life of the three lives named in the deed and the lives of other persons added to the lease.

Other:
Signed and sealed by the parties

Road widening scheme at Rathfarnham and work carried out by Dublin Corporation on part of the boundary wall of Rathfarnham Castle

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).

Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin

Material on the golden jubilee of Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin

A file relating to the golden jubilee of Rathfarnham Castle - 50 years as a Jesuit house. Includes lists of first Jesuits at Rathfarnham Castle, invited guests, letters from those who attended the celebrations including Éamon de Valera, President of Ireland and John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin. Includes a letter from Archbishop John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop's House, Dublin 9 to Fr Fergal McGrath SJ remarking that he will not be able to attend the lunch after mass 'You will not miss my speech, I assure you, and the Province does not need to be told what I think.' (6 September 1963, 1p).

Fee Farm Grant - Rathfarnham House

Parties:
William Thomas, Earl of Clancarty, Garbally, County Galway, John Earl of Strafford, Hardmonsworth, County of Middlesex, Thomas Conolly, Castletown, County Kildare, Elizabeth Pakenham and Helen Pakenham, Spinster, Coolure, County Westmeath of the one part and Francis Blackburne, Lord Chief Justice of Her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench in Ireland, Merrion Square, Dublin.

Property:
Rathfarnham House, Parish of Rathfarnham, Barony of Newcastle, County Dublin.

Terms and Conditions:
Yearly rent of £123.6.6 in two equal payments on 25 March and 29 September.

Other:
Signed and sealed by the parties.

Purchase of Rathfarnham Castle by the Society of Jesus

A file relating to the purchase of Rathfarnham Castle by the Society of Jesus. Includes part of the auction catalogue for the contents of the Castle, Battersby & Co, Auctioneers, 39 Westmoreland Street, Dublin, and list of Jesuit purchases (April 1913).

Material relating to the Society of Jesus' decision to move the Noviceship and Juniorate from Tullabeg to Rathfarnham Castle

A file relating to the Society of Jesus' decision to move the Noviceship and Juniorate from Tullabeg to Rathfarnham. This decision was made following the change of regulations of the National University requiring students to attend lectures in one of the University Colleges. Under the Royal University students had to pass examinations set by the University but could be prepared for the exams elsewhere.

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