File relating to the admission of Fr Herbert J Dargan SJ to the Society of Jesus and subsequent correspondence mainly related to his time as Tertian instructor at the Jesuit house at Tullabeg, County Offaly (1977-1986).

Article on Baymount in The Father Mathew Record, Vol. 44, No. 3.

Bathroom with bathtubs and sinks (to be a dormitory), Manresa, Dollymount, 5 September 1948; (Did Fr Frank Browne SJ take these)

Bathroom with bathtubs and sinks (to be a dormitory), Manresa, Dollymount, 5 September 1948. One of the Jesuits (Laurence Kearns) sleeping in the room;

File containing material relating to Br Andrew Williams's admission to the Society and subsequent correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials.

Br Ned Foley SJ and Frs Sean McCarron, William Stephenson and Laurence Kearns, 1950;

File relating to Br Vincent Robinson SJ, including application to join the Society, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials, catalogue entries, and memorial card.

Chapel at Manresa, Dollymount [1949-50];

Chapel at Manresa, Dollymount [1955-65];

Copies of Superiors letters (Fr Sean McCarron SJ) of Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin to Rome (in English) and acknowledgment of letters from Rome (in Latin). The letters outline the works going on at Manresa (1949, 1952; 1954-56). Annual letter Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin (In Latin). 1951-52; 1952-53.

Correspondence with Dr John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin (mainly holograph letters from the Archbishop and copies of Irish Fr Provincial’s replies) on various matters. Includes letters concerning :

• information for the Commission established to ‘investigate and report upon the existence and title of all collections for pious purposes in the Diocese of Dublin’;
• the supply of Altar wine to the Society;
• the appointment of Fr Thomas Counihan SJ to the Commission on Youth Unemployment;
• his request ‘not to use candles at the end of Retreats and Missions during the present war-circumstances’;
• the death of various Jesuits including Frs [Thomas Counihan], Michael Kirwan, James Tomkin, Laurence J. Kieran (former Provincial) and Vincent Byrne;
• circular comprising the decisions of the 1942 October Meeting of the Hierarchy;
• 1944 Decree concerning the education of Catholics in non-Catholic Schools, Colleges or Universities of the Dublin Diocese (See also ADMN/3/38);
• the proposed visit of Fr Adelard Dugré SJ, ‘formerly an Assistant of our late Father General and now an Assistant of our Father Vicar General’ to Ireland and his appointment with the Archbishop;
• the granting of diocesan faculties to various Jesuits and the results of diocesan examinations;
• the ‘Solemn Votive mass’ to be celebrated in the Pro-Cathedral on 25 June 1945 on the occasion of the Inauguration of the President, Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh (See also ADMN/3/59 and 76);
• copies of letters concerning the Archbishop’s instructions as to the ‘attitude to be adopted in regard to the strike declared by the Central Executive Committee of the Irish National Teachers’ Organization’ and the restoration of ‘normal conditions’ in the schools following the Teachers’ Strike;
• the collection by secondary schools of used clothing ‘for the very destitute young people of Europe, especially the Catholics of Hungary’;
• the answers of the Milltown Theological Faculty to certain questions posed ‘concerning the question of defining as a dogma of the Faith the doctrine that the Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed bodily into Heaven’;
• statistical reports on the Society in Ireland required for the ‘Relatio Status’ of the Archbishop to the Holy See and for the Annuario Pontificio;
• the appointment of Fr Thomas Counihan SJ to conduct the Thirty Days’ Exercises at Holy Cross College, Clonliffe in October 1947 and September 1948;
• proposals to purchase Churchtown House, Dundrum for use as a secondary school and the alternative plan to build a school on grounds adjoining Milltown Park (See also 1950s correspondence with Archbishop McQuaid);
• the institution of the ‘Tribunal for the Ordinary Informative Process in the Cause of the Beatification and Canonisation of the Servant of God, John Sullivan, Priest of your Society’ (24 October 1947, 1p.) (See also ADMN/3/24; 48 and 49);
• the purchase of Baymount Castle, Dollymount for use as a Retreat House (Manresa House) (See also ADMN/3/6 and 74) and
• letter of condolence following the fire at Milltown Park in 1949 (11 February 1949, 1p.).

Entrance gates to stable area from avenue, Manresa, Dollymount, with Fr Laurence Kearns SJ in the foreground, 1948;

File relating to a bequest for £883-11 left to the Irish Fr Provincial by Mary Mooney, Portslade-by-Sea, Sussex, England for the cost and maintenance of Manresa and the erection of a plaque to the memory of Fr Charles Doyle SJ. Includes copy of Mary Mooney’s will, accounts of the executor and correspondence between representatives of Barclay’s Bank and William Dargan, Bursar of the Irish Province.

File containing Fr Brian R Scallan's admission papers and correspondence from his time as curate in the Dublin parishes of Edenmore and Marino.

Material relating to which Fr Conal K Murphy SJ includes correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and curia, personal record and application to join the Society.

File containing Donal Mulcahy’s admission papers and correspondence with provincials concerning his renunciation of property and his years of work at Tullabeg, Gonzaga College and the Milltown Institute.

A file relating to Fr Eugene A Ward SJ. Includes application to join the Society, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials, catalogue entries, extensive correspondence relating to Fr Ward's work in America.

File of material relating to Fr Francis Joy SJ including catalogue record, mortuary card, and correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials.

File containing MacSeumais’ admission papers and correspondence with his Irish Fr Provincials from post-war Germany, Pakistan, England and the United States. Photograph included.

A file relating to Fr James G Tormey SJ, including application to join the Society, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and catalogue entries.

File relating to the admission of Richard Brenan to the Society of Jesus and subsequent professional life including correspondence relating to retreat work and from a sabbatical year at the École S. Louis de Gonzague, 12 rue Franklin, 75016, Paris. Includes a relic of St Francis Xavier, inherited by Fr Richard brenan SJ (1979).

File containing Richard Maguire's admission papers and correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials relating to retreat and mission work and his time as chaplain at the Royal Hospital of the Incurables, Donnybrook, Dublin.

Fr Sean McCarron SJ talking to retreatants, Manresa, Dollymount, 11 December 1950;

File containing material relating to Sean Noonan's admission to the Society and correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials relating to mission work, the provincial congregation and his final illness.

File relating to Fr Thomas J O'Donnell SJ including memorial card, photographs, catalogue entries, application to join the Society and correspondence relating to his time spent in India and at Vatican Radio.

Front of Manresa House with chalet [1948-1955];

Frs Sean McCarron and Laurence Kearns, Manresa, Dollymount, 1948;

Garden at Manresa, Dollymount, 5 September 1948;

Interior of Manresa House, Dollymount, 1948.

Large room formerly (Gymnasium) to be the retreatants refectory, 1948;

Letter from M. D. Dack, 96a, St Ignatius Rd, Drumcondra Rd, Dublin (Secretary of Our Lady’s Grotto Committee) to Fr Sean McCarron SJ, Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin on the erection of a Grotto of Our Lady of the Assumption at Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin and a rough draft of proposed circular letter (9 March 1952). Includes an address on the occasion of the presentation of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption at Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin on Sunday 9 March 1952 at 11.30am by Mr T. Scally, President, Our Lady’s Grotto Committee (CIE Employee). Photographs of the unveiling of the Grotto of the Assumption of Our Lady at Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin by C.I.E. Employees, 17 August 1952. Seven photographs of unveiling.

Letters and documents from James G. O'Connor, Solicitor to Frs Sean McCarron SJ, Manresa, Dollymount, Dublin relating to Mr McCafferkey and the Gate Lodge, Baymount, Dollymount, Dublin. Includes draft agreement of exchange of plots of ground at lands at Baymount, Clontarf between Fr Joseph Erraught SJ & others and McCafferkey and letters from Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ to Fr Sean McCarron SJ, Manresa, Dollymount on the subject.

Letters and plans from Oliver McCarron, Architect, M.R.A.I. to Fr Sean McCarron SJ, Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin on proposed additions and alterations to drainage at Manresa. Includes tender by contractors.

Letters concerning the application for a license to build by Mr Pritcher of a number of dwelling houses on the right hand side of the passage way and ground rent to Mr Gwynn. Details that Clontarf Estates (representing Vernon Estate) are prepared to pay Mr Gwynn £1,500 for the plot. See CM/MAN/54.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial concerning proposed publications of biographies of, and brochures on, St Ignatius Loyola during the fourth centenary of the saint’s death.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial on various matters. Includes letters concerning:
– the creation of a new entrance to Manresa House in Dollymount and the sale of the old gate lodge to the developer of the site (see also ADMN/3/43);
– various Consultors’ opinions with regard to Fr. General’s Letters on The Social Apostolate;
– the Irish Hierarchy’s opinion of the Health Bill of 1952;
– ‘the dangers there is for Catholics to go to Trinity College’ (see also ADMN/3/38);
– copy of a ‘Report of the Jesuit Schools in the Archdiocese of Dublin on the Programme for Religious Instruction in the Primary Schools’ (see also ADMN/3/57);
– a lectureship in mathematical-physics in U.C.D.;
– the requirements for the post of lecturer in Cosmology in U.C.D.;
– the death of Fr James Magan SJ and
– letter and memorandum to the Provincial concerning Latin study in the Novitiate.
Also includes letters from President Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh (see also ADMN/3/59) concerning his audience with the Pope and sending Christmas greetings and copy of Irish Fr Provincial’s reply.

Manresa - north side from Avenue [1948-1960];

Manresa House Chapel 1949, now the community refectory, 1986;

Manresa House Retreat with Frs Sean McCarron and Laurence Kearns and Br Ned Foley SJ (Cook), 1949;

Manresa House retreat and army retreat organised by Colonel Sullivan (1949) which includes Frs Sean McCarron and Laurence Kearns (1948-49);

The present community house at Manresa was originally known as Granby Hall and then as Baymount Castle, being at one time the residence of Dr Traill, a northern Church of Ireland Bishop. Renovated in 1838 by Robert Warren, it was later owned by the Irish Loreto Sisters who had a school there. Gutted by fire in 1851, the Sisters had it renovated again, sold it, and moved to Balbriggan.
In 1898 it became the property of Lord Ardilaun, a member of the Guinness family and owner of the adjoining St Anne’s estate. About the beginning of the First World War, William Lucas Scott opened a preparatory school for boys which continued until 1936, when it was acquired by John T Gwynn, of the well-known literary family (relative of Jesuit Aubrey Gwynn). In 1948 the Archbishop of Dublin asked the Jesuits to establish a northside retreat house, and Baymount Castle, with its 17 acres, was bought by them.

Retreats began in 1949. Construction of a new retreat house began in 1966 to the design of architect Andrew Devane of the firm Robinson, Keefe and Devane; it was opened in 1967. In 1969, the Irish Jesuit novitiate moved from St Mary's, Emo Court, County Laois to Manresa, where it was situated until 1991.

The papers of Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin concern the early history of the house, financial issues, building and development, retreat work and the horse show at Manresa (1963-1973). There are references to the artworks of Richard Enda King and Evie Hone. Material is in the form of letters, ledgers, architectural plans, maps and photographs.

Manresa House, with car outside [1948-60];

File relating to the admission of Joseph Conran to the Society of Jesus and his subsequent Jesuit life, including his move to the Jesuit community at Carmel, California.

Material relating to Fr Dermot J Murphy SJ which includes correspondence concerning his work in Zambia and his health. Includes black and white passport size photographs, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and curia, personal record and application to join the Society.

Material relating to Fr Laurence M Kearns SJ containing admission details, his work within the Society (chaplain in the Second World War, communications and media work in Zambia and Lesotho, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials. Includes biographical information.

Mounted group photograph of the first community at Manresa House. Includes seven Jesuits, Frs Laurence Kearns, Sean McCarron and William Stephenson. Others possibly are Brother Edward Foley SJ and Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ. Black and white.

Newspaper clippings on retreats at Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin (June -5 October 1949; 11 December 1950) and the opening of the new retreat house (20 October 1967).

Notes and letters on the history of Baymount. Handwritten and typed notes by J T Gwynn on the history of Baymount (3 June 1948) and letter from James G. O'Connor, Solicitor to Fr Coyne SJ on the history (23 June 1948). Letter from Fr Thomas Shuley SJ to Fr Sean McCarron SJ, Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin referring to a book on the life of Mrs Ball which says that she bought Baymount Castle in 1847 and it was taken over by some Sisters from Rathfarnham Abbey (18 August 1848). Letter from F. John L. Evans, 39 James Street South, Hamilton, Canada to Fr Donal Mulcahy SJ, Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin thanking him for his hospitality in showing him the home of his ancestors and the copy of the history of the house (5 June 1967).

Notes on the early history of Manresa House by a sister of the Loreto Convent, Bray, forwarded to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ by James O'Connor, solicitor.

Pensions and rents payable to the Pioneers, Jesuit Foreign Missions. Includes correspondence between Fr Thomas Martin SJ, Jesuit Foreign Missions, 28 Upper Sherrard Street, Dublin, Fr McCarron SJ (Pioneers), Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin and Fr Troddyn SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street.

Photograph of Br Ned Foley SJ, Frs Sean McCarron and Laurence Kearns, Manresa, Dollymount.

Left to right: Fr Laurence Kearns SJ (Minister), Father Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ, Br Ned Foley SJ (Cook), Canon McMahon P.P. (St John the Baptist, Clontarf), Fr Joe Erraught SJ, Fr Sean McCarron SJ (Superior) and Fr William Stephenson SJ (Spiritual Father), Manresa House (1949). Fr Joe Erraught SJ was trustee but stationed at Rathfarnham Castle;

Photograph of Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin.

Photographs in possession of Fr Thomas Byrne SJ including:

• individual photographs of Fr Thomas Byrne SJ (4 items);
• group photograph including Frs Laurence Kearns, Thomas Byrne, Br - , - , - , Sean McCarron, - , at Dollymount, Manresa, Dublin [1948]-[1952);
• photographs of Fr Thomas Byrne SJ visiting schools in Asia (2 items);
• group photograph of Fr Thomas Byrne SJ with others, in white cassocks;
• group photograph of Irish Jesuits in Zambia, including Fr Thomas Byrne SJ in centre, with Bishop James Corboy SJ;
• group photographs of Irish Jesuits in Hong Kong (although Fr Thomas Byrne SJ, Superior of the Hong Kong Jesuits, 1957-1960, these photographs postdate that time (5 items);

Photographs of the views of the exterior of Manresa Retreat House, Dollymount, Dublin.

Postcard of Baymount School, Dollymount, Dublin.

Print outs of photographs (1970-1992) and copy of advertisement for the Manresa Gymkhana, 17 June 1956, to be held at Manresa House, Dollymount, held at the Irish Jesuit Archives.

Purchase of Baymount Castle, Dollymount. Letters from Mr J T Gwynn, Baymount Castle, Dollymount to Frs Sean McCarron and John Coyne, regarding the sale of Baymount to the Jesuits which refers to sale price, dates in which they can occupy the house, solicitors details and queries (boundary wall, rates), items for sale at Baymount which the Jesuits intend to buy (278 lbs of jam), discounts on items. Includes lists of items bought from Mr J T Gwynn, Baymount Castle by the Jesuits which include items from basement pantry, kitchen, dining room, drawing room, etc (August 1948) and items required (December 1948). Mr J T Gwynn was the uncle of Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ and had been headmaster of the Protestant Preparatory School at Baymount. His daughter made an unsuccessful effort to carry on the school with a small mixed infants class (See letter from Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ to Father Provincial, 16 February 1948). See CM/MAN/55.

Retreatants eating in refectory, Manresa, Dollymount with Br Ned Foley SJ, 11 December 1950;

Retreatants outside Manresa with Frs William Stephenson, Sean McCarron and Laurence Kearns, Manresa, Dollymount 11 December 1950 (2 items);

Retreatants outside Manresa with Fr [ ] and Fr Sean McCarron SJ, [1950-55];

Retreatants reading in recreation room and in waiting room, Manresa, Dollymount, 11 December 1950 (2 items);

Retreatants walking in grounds of Manresa, Dollymount, 11 December 1950;

Retreatants, perhaps from CIE, outside Manresa with Fr [ ], Father Provincial Thomas Byrne, Fr Sean McCarron SJ and Fr [ ], [1950-53];

Series of colour and black and white photographs of Manresa and the horse show which took place there. Includes photographs from the roof of Manresa, the selling of tea, Punch and Judy, presentation of rosettes (by Charlie Haughey), work on new building (17 September 1966; 7 January 1967), one day retreat for engaged couples (5 April 1969).

• photograph of Mrs P. J. Lavery presenting the championship trophy at the Manresa Horse Show to Comdt. W. Ringrose who won on Daragh (1967);
  • photograph of Fr Donal Mulcahy SJ, Superior, Manresa House receiving a cheque from Mr P. J. Lavery, director, Player and Wills, sponsors of the Manresa Horse Show, in aid of the Jesuit Retreat House fund. (28 May 1968);
  • photograph of Mrs P. J. Lavery presenting the championship trophy at the Manresa Horse Show to Miss Marian McDowell who won on Sweet Control (3 June 1968);
  • photograph of Fr James Moloney SJ and his cousin Miss Kay Nolan at the Manresa Horse Show (4 June 1973).

Sketch plan of proposed alterations and additions to Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin.

Photograph of South wing of stables viewed from rose-garden, Manresa, Dollymount with Fr Laurence Kearns SJ in the foreground.

Stable yard, north side, Manresa, Dollymount.

Stable yard, north side, Manresa, Dollymount, 1948;

Temporary chapel at Manresa, Dollymount with Fr Laurence Kearns SJ at his prayers, 5 September 1948;

Correspondence relating to the purchase of Baymount, later known as Manresa House, by the Jesuit Fathers. Includes letters from James O'Connor, solicitor, to Fr John Coyne SJ, relating to the erection of a new boundary wall and the maintenance of a drain on Sea Road (Clontarf Road).

View from the stable yard, Manresa, Dollymount, 1948;

View of Manresa House, Dollymount, 1948;

Visit of Mondragone party which included three priests, two scholastics and sixteen pupils of the Collegio Nobile of Mondragone, Frascati, Italy and Jesuits including Frs Sean McCarron (Superior of Manresa), Denis P. Kennedy (Rector of Belvedere College), Peader McSeaumais (Belvedere College) and Laurence Kearns(Minster of Manresa), on pier in Dublin Bay, 7 August 1950;

Visit of Mondragone party which stayed at Manresa - included three priests, two scholastics and sixteen pupils of the Collegio Nobile of Mondragone, Frascati, Italy and Jesuits( including front row, l-r: Mr Delmirari J, Sigior Bellegamba (Italian Legation), Fr. Alberico Grass SJ. Fr Denis P. Kennedy SJ (Rector of Belvedere College), Mr Waldron (Dept. of External Affairs), Fr Chile DJ, Fr Bondani SJ, Fr Laurence Kearns SJ (Minister Manresa). Back row: Mr Phelan, Mr Mooney, Fr Sean McCarron SJ (Superior Manresa), Fr Charles Byrne SJ (Belvedere College), [ ], Fr Peader McSeaumais SJ (Belvedere College) and [ ], at Manresa, Dollymount 9 August 1950;