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.

Copy of letter from Dr Grant, Director of the Scottish College in Rome, to Sir Augustus Paget, British Minister to Italy. Writes in relation to the fate of the Roman College, and its status as a university for foreigners.

Copy of letter from Fr. James Maher, writing from the Irish College in Rome, to [ ]. Sends greetings from residents of the College. Refers to Dr. Cullen, and states that he may return to Ireland on account of his health. Discusses death, sin, and the love of Jesus Christ for man. Also refers to his addressee’s health and household.

Letter of congratulation from the Jesuit Curia in Rome on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Fr Aubrey Gwynn’s entrance into the Society.

Letters from Father General to the Rector of the Jesuit community at St Ignatius College, Galway.

[Copy] letter from Fr John Conmee SJ in Rome to a ‘Mr. Keogh’, thanking him for sending Fr Conmee some shamrock for St. Patrick’s day. Also remarks ‘I am…beginning to long for a sight of old Erin and dear old Gardiner Street, and Father Bannon’s righthand man and coadjutor, Mr. Keogh. I saw the Holy Father for the third time yesterday…He is the most good natured man you ever saw, full of simplicity and holiness and warm heartedness; and he was greatly interested in all we were doing in the Church. I am glad you report so favourably of Father Bannon’s health. All the same I think it would do him good to have a change after his many colds and bronchitis.’

Copies of letters and postcards written by Fr John Conmee SJ to his sister ‘Maggie’. Includes copy of letter describing his visit to Rome and audience with the Pope (6 Feb. 1905, 1p.) and copies of notes written during his final illness.

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, notes and telegrams to Fr John Conmee SJ from various individuals in Rome on the Cause of the Irish Martyrs.

Letter from Fr John Conmee SJ, writing from Rome, Italy to Fr Potter in St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin. Gives an account of his private audience with the Pope that morning, at which they discussed Gardiner Street, Jesuit missions in Ireland, and the sodalities.

Documents relating to Fr Michael Fitzgerald SJ compiled by Fr Hugh Fenning, O.P. (Collegio S. Clemente, Via Labicana, Rome), for Fr Francis Finegan SJ. Includes letter from Fr Fenning to Fr Franics Finegan SJ (13 April 1966), 2pp) and enclosed ‘References to Michael Fitzgerald SJ in the archives of San Clemente, Rome’ (n.d., 3pp).

Letter to Fr William A Sutton SJ from Fr Herman Walmesley SJ congratulating him on behalf of Fr General, on the Golden Jubilee of his entrance into the Society.

Copy letter from the Superior of the Australian Mission Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ, St Patrick's College, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to Father General Peter Beckx SJ, Rome, Italy concerning the Australian Mission and his visit to Australia.

Letter from the Superior of the Australian Mission, Fr Joseph Dalton SJ, St Patrick's, Melbourne to Fr John Ffrench SJ regarding the Australian Mission and worries expressed by Father General concerning the observance of spiritual matters and the customs of the Society.

Letter from the Archbishop of Sydney, Patrick Cardinal Moran, The Irish College, Rome to Irish Fr Provincial James Murphy SJ concerning the change of the site of the Jesuit's High School from it's present site to North Sydney.

Two letters concerning the question of accepting a college at Oxley, Brisbane, Australia.

Copies of Irish ‘Informationes’ transcribed from the ‘Codex Novitiorum’ and ‘Informationes Novitiorum’ kept at Galloro, Roman Province. Sent with covering letter (12 February 1933, 1p) by Fr Denis Nerney SJ to Fr John MacErlean SJ. Includes ‘Informationes Novitiorum Hib. S.J. in Tirocino Romano, 1826 - 1841’ (in Italian, 6pp) and extracts from the Codex Novitiorum, 1565 – 1586 (in Latin, 7pp).

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from various academics (including Valéria Flint) mostly relating to aspects of the life of Honorius Augustodunensis. Includes offprint ‘The Career of Honorius Augustodunensis’ by V.I.J. Flint, University of Auckland, New Zealand from Revue Bénédictine (Vol. 82, Nos. 1 – 2, 1972, p.63 – 86).

A file relating to an article by Fr Arthur Little SJ rejected by the censors. Includes a letter from Fr Arthur Little SJ, St Stanislaus College, Tullamore, County Offaly to Irish Fr Provincial stating that he wishes the article to be sent for censorship to Rome ‘I have no desire to get anyone into trouble so I shall only communicate with the English Assistant. If he upholds the censors having read their remarks I can only apologise for taking badly what turns out to be a fair verdict.’ (4 September 1938, 3pp).

Drafts of letters to Rome in relation to Irish Jesuit funds. (In Latin).

Copies of letters from Rome to English Province re. funds for Irish Jesuits. Includes letters from Frs. Angiolini, Tadeusz Brzozowski, de Zuñiga, and to Frs Marmaduke Stone, William Strickland. Also includes a copy of a letter from Patrick Aloysius Drinan in the Roman College, to Fr Kenn[e]y, on, amongst other subjects, Irish Jesuits in Rome. (In Latin, French and English)

Copy of letter from Cardinal di Pietro to Archbishop Troy. States that neither Fr Callaghan nor any of the other surviving Irish ex-Jesuits are at liberty to dispose of their property in any other way but in favour of the Irish bishops. Refers to the claim that a Papal rescript exists, which re-establishes the Society of Jesus in the Kingdom of Ireland, in which case the property of ex-Jesuits would belong to the Society. Letter appears on the same document as a letter from Fr Thomas Betagh to Fr Stone.

Copy of letter from Fr Marmaduke Stone SJ to Cardinal di Pietro - reply to the latter’s letter of 7 October 1809. Refers to Archbishop Troy’s appeal to Rome in relation to the will of Fr Richard Callaghan, and reminds the Cardinal of the oath sworn by all English priests to renounce all pretensions of the Holy See to interfere in civil affairs within Great Britain. Also alludes to the dangers of such interference especially when the Holy See is subject to the rule of Napoleon Buonaparte. Discusses the will of Fr Callaghan in relation to the agreement made by Irish ex-Jesuits in 1793, and asserts that no promise was ever made to leave Jesuit property to the Irish prelates. (In Italian). Letter appears on same document as a copy of the one to which it replies, and a copy of an excerpt of a letter from Fr Stone to Archbishop Troy.

Copy of excerpt from Fr Marmaduke Stone’s reply to Archbishop Troy’s letter of 31 March 1808. Expresses surprise and dismay at the latter’s actions and emphasises that his (Stone’s) letter to Troy was written in confidence. Claims that he knows of no ex-Jesuits who maintain that their Society is canonically re-established in the British Dominions. Refers to a ‘severe letter’ received by him from Cardinal Borgia in relation to the matter. This document also contains copies of correspondence between Cardinal di Pietro and Fr Stone, which are described separately.

Letter from Archbishop Troy to Fr Marmaduke Stone SJ. Communicates to Stone the queries sent to the Holy See by the prelates of ‘this Kingdom’ in relation to the suppressed Society and to the administration of the property of the deceased members of the Society, specifically that of the late Fr Callaghan SJ. Includes transcription of replies received.

[Copy of] letter [to] Fr Charles Plowden SJ, The writer refers to ‘our friends in Palermo’, and states that ‘relying on F. Genl’s Gruber’s assurance’ he has educated ‘many Eng & Irish to form a future British [province]’. Refers to Archbishop Troy’s interference some years before, which resulted in an order from Cardinal Michele di Pietro that Fr Callaghan was bound to leave to Troy all the property of the extinct Society.

English translation of letter from Cardinal di Pietro to Fr Marmaduke Stone SJ.

Copy of letter from Cardinal di Pietro to Fr Marmaduke Stone SJ. Refers to the appeal made by the prelates of Ireland to Rome in relation to the will of the late Fr Richard Callaghan. Claims that the latter, according to an oath sworn on 23 August 1793, should have left his property to Fr Betagh, and not to Stone. Demands that Stone transmit to Rome an authentic copy of the Pope’s alleged rescript, by which Callaghan believed himself to legitimately free to dispose of the funds of the ex-Jesuits in favour of Stone (In Italian). Letter appears on same document as a copy of the reply to it from Fr Stone, and a copy of an excerpt of a letter from Fr Stone to Archbishop Troy.

English translation of letter from Fr Marmaduke Stone SJ to Cardinal di Pietro; reply to that of 7 October 1809.

Two copies of a letter from Fr Marmaduke Stone SJ to Cardinal di Pietro.

Copy of letter from Fr Peter Kenney SJ in Palermo to Fr Thomas Glover SJ. Expresses delight that the latter returned safely to Stonyhurst. Reports the death of Cogan on 15 October. Reminds him to send a book for the Prince of Butera. Refers to the landing of French troops, the defence effort by the Sicilians, and the subsequent surrender of some French, and the flight of others back to Naples, upon the arrival of the British troops. States that Paccanari ‘has taken a wife & walks the streets of Rome with her with shameless effrontery.’ Expresses the fear that the Irish have complained of him (Kenney) ‘for having led F. Stone astray’.

Br John Baptist Byrne SJ entry into the Society of Jesus and difficulties he encountered as a novice, ultimately leading to his decision to become a brother in the English Province. Includes detailed correspondence concerning his difficulties and the various attempts to find a suitable position for him in the Society.

A file of letters realting to Fr Thomas Byrne SJ. Includes a letter from Fr John L Swain SJ, Borgo S. Spirito, Rome to Irish Fr Provivnial Charles O'Conor SJ concerning an emergencvy operatiopn performed on Fr Byrne in Rome (22 December 1963, 1p); letter from Fr Bernard Lonergan SJ, Regis College, 3425 Bayview Avenue, Willowdale, Ontario, Canada to Fr Thomas Byrne SJ, thanking him for suggesting that Fr General be asked to allow Fr Lonergan more free time to write (21 Decmeber 1967, 1p).

File of material relating to Fr Thomas Byrne SJ, taken from the Mission Office, 28 Upper Sherrard St (12 July 2011). Includes passport size photograph; passport; and correspondence between Fr Byrne to Fr Thomas J Martin, SJ, Mission Office, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

A file relating to Fr Patrick Coffey SJ. Includes biographical information, correspondence, concerning his health during his early years in the Society and correspondence during his time in England working in parishes in Birmingham and London.

Material relating to Fr Bernard P Collins SJ entry to the Society of Jesus, biographical information and correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials.

Holograph letters from Fr Matthew Devitt SJ, Rome to Father Rector, concerning the deliberation over whether to hold a General Congregation or not (27 September); in official interview with Fr. General ‘with regard fundamental theology…no changes or suspension of ordination’ however ‘though the ordination must stand the execution may be deferred for a year or two while we are preparing a professor and he expects this should be set about without delay’. Fr Devitt reports that ‘there is a sickening sirocco wind blowing - very fatiguing and oppressiveness’ (5 October).

A file relating to permission granted by Fr General Wlodimir Ledóchowski SJ and the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Matthew Cullen, for the establishment of a Jesuit house at Emo, County Laois.

Holograph letter from Fr Patrick Duffy SJ, Rome to John Patrick Duffy, 6 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Dublin concerning the plight of the Irish, ‘the death of the old Volunteer of 82’, the weather in Rome ‘we have been frying in here for the last two months. The heat has been fierce’ and Daniel O'Connell.

Letter from Fr John Ffrench SJ, writing the Gesù, Rome, to Fr Kelly SJ. Refers to a visit made by Cardinal Cullen to Rome, and apologises for not having brought up a matter which Fr Kelly wished him to raise with the Cardinal.

Biographical information on Fr John J Hannon SJ. Includes catalogue entry (1930), correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and brief biography by Fr Fergus O'Donoghue SJ.

File relating to the sudden death of Fr John Hannon SJ, including letters of sympathy.

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

Photocopy of a letter from Fr Joseph Dunn SJ, Preston, England to Fr Gaetana Angiolini SJ, Gesu, Italy concerning the Restoration of the Society, and with references to Irish Jesuits in Palermo. In Italian; original document in the Bibliotheca Corsini, Rome (15 July 1815, 3pp) and translation of same made by Fr Fergal McGrath SJ (Irish Province Archivist until 1986) (5pp).

Holograph letter from Bishop Edmund Tanner, Cork to Fr General Everard Mercurian SJ.

Material relating to Fr Patrick Kenny SJ which includes correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials, personal record and medal from the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Clongowes Wood College SJ.

Holograph letter from James FitzMaurice, St Malo, France to Fr General Everard Mercurian SJ.

Correspondence relating to Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ, who was Irish Vice Provincial, 11 February 1858-7 December 1860 and the first Provincial of the Irish Province of the Society of Jesus, 8 December 1860 - [ ] 1863. No index.

A file of letters from Fr John Ffrench SJ, Gesú, Rome, Italy to Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ (Vice Provincial: 11 February 1858-1860; First Provincial of the Irish Province of the Society of Jesus: 8 December 1860 - [ ] 1863). At this time Fr Ffrench SJ was the substitute English Assistant to Fr General. As a result many of the letters have an official slant. Includes an index/précis to the letters by Fr James Rabbitte SJ.

A file of letters from Fr John Ffrench SJ, Gesú, Rome, Italy to Irish Fr Provincial Edmund J O'Reilly SJ (term as Fr Provincial 1863 - 19 April 1870). Fr Ffrench's letters were written in his capacity as English Assistant to Fr General. As a result all of the letters have an official slant. Includes an index/précis to the letters by Fr James Rabbitte SJ.

A file of letters concerning the attendance of Religious Superiors at Diocesan Synods. Includes letters to Fr Thomas Kelly, SJ, Rector, Crescent College, Limerick concerning the issue. Two of the letters are from Irish Fr Provincial Edmund J O'Reilly SJ.

A file of letters from Fr John Ffrench SJ (all except one dated 2 September 1870 are written from Gesú, Rome) to Irish Fr Provincial Nicholas Walsh SJ (term 20 April 1870 - 17 March 1877). Fr Ffrench's letters were written in his capacity as English Assistant to Fr General. As a result all of the letters have an official slant. Fr Ffrench, SJ died in Rome on 31 May 1873. Includes an index/précis to the letters by Fr James Rabbitte SJ.

A file of letters to Irish Fr Provincial Nicholas Walsh SJ. Includes an index/précis to the letters by Fr James Rabbitte SJ.

[Copy of extract] of letter from Fr General Roothaan to the Irish Vice-Provincial Fr Robert St Leger SJ, regarding the selection of good candidates for the Society.

Printed excerpt of letters from Fr General Roothaan SJ.

Handwritten letter from Fr General Peter Beckx SJ to Irish Vice-Provincial in relation to faculties.

Extracts from letters from Fr General Peter Beckx SJ to Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ, Irish Vice-Provincial.

Letter from Father General Pedro Arrupe congratulating Fr John McAvoy SJ on his Golden Jubilee.

A telegram from Pope Pius XI to Fr Patrick Barrett SJ, Director of Retreats at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, blessing all those making a retreat at Rathfarnham. In Latin.

Obituary of Fr Daniel Joseph O'Connell SJ by the Vatican Observatory (4pp)and copy of a letter from Fr John P Leonard SJ, Rome, Italy to Fr Fergal McGrath SJ, 35 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin describing Fr O'Connell'a death (15 October 1982, 1p).

Letters relating to Fr Daniel O'Connell's diamond jubilee.

Letter from Fr Daniel O'Connell SJ, Rome, Italy to Irish Fr Provincial Paddy Doyle SJ concerning his trip to Ireland.

Correspondence concerning Madame Regina Łukasiewicz’s accusations of the theft of her late husband’s papers by Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ and Prof. E. O'Doherty of U.C.D. (her late husband was Jan Łukasiewicz, Professor of Mathematical Logic at the Royal Irish Academy (a special professorship) ). Madame Łukasiewicz was suffering from ‘paranoid psychosis with delusions of persecution’ and was admitted to St Vincent’s Private Mental Home for a number of weeks until Fr Gwynn helped to arrange her removal to the house of her nephew in England. The papers had in actual fact, been deposited by herself in the R.I.A. Library in 1956. Documents include:

• copies of letters sent by Madame Łukasiewicz to the Taoiseach and the Commissioner of the Gardai stating her case and seeking help with living expenses and the return of her husband’s manuscripts (15 and 18 July 1957, 2 items, 2pp each);
• letter from the Slavic Assistant in Rome to Irish Fr Provincial Michael O'Grady SJ (8 December 1957, 2pp);
• statement of Fr Gwynn made for the Provincial explaining his ‘connection with the sad history of Madame Regina Łukasiewicz’ (11 December 1957, 4pp);
• statements of Dr Mary Sullivan and Dr John Malone on the mental health Madame Lukasiewicza (13, 16 December 1957, 4pp);
• statement by Dr Farrington, Librarian and Assistant Secretary, R.I.A. (13 December 1957, 1p.);
• copy of statement made by solicitor Arthur Cox ‘acting as Madame Lukasiewicza’s legal advisor’ for the Provincial (16 December 1957, 1p.);
• letter to Fr Gwynn from Fr Stanislaus Wawryn SJ (Polish Provincial) (23 December 1957, 1p.);
• letter to the Provincial from the Society’s Curia in Rome (26 December 1957, 1p.);
• copy of letter of Taoiseach Éamon de Valera to Fr Gwynn on the matter, in which he states ‘I know that since Prof. and Madame Lukasiewicz came here you have been one of their kindest friends…I regret very much that you should be subject to the annoyance which these charges cause you; and I would be glad to assist in any way in making it known, to any one who may be concerned, that I regard these charges as altogether without foundation and, indeed, in the circumstances, as outrageous’ (30 December 1957, 1p.).

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.

Copy of a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Michael A. O'Grady SJ, 85 Eglinton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin to Fr General J B Janssens SJ, 5 Borgo Santo Spirito, Rome outlining the reasons why he feels the novitiate for candidates of the Society of Jesus in the far East should be transferred from Formosa to Hong Kong.

A file relating to visitors to the Chinese/Hong Kong mission. The letters relate to the administration of the mission and the Jesuits working in the mission. Includes a copy of a letter from the Superior of the mission Fr Thomas F Ryan SJ to Fr Visitor, Fr Burkhardt SJ concerning the mission in light of the communist occupation of the neighbouring provinces of China. Describes the effects of this occupation on the work of the mission (15 January 1950, 11pp).

Copy of a letter from Fr John Hannon SJ (English Assistant) to Fr General seeking permission for Fr Patrick Joy SJ (Superior of the mission) to sell property in Hong Kong. The permission was granted.

Copy of a letter from Fr John Hannon SJ (English Assistant), Rome to Fr Patrick Joy SJ (Superior of the mission) concerning the Hong Kong mission. Encloses a copy of a letter from Fr General to Fr Hannon raising a number of points about the work of the Hong Kong mission.

Mission material relating to Br Patrick Sherry SJ. Includes passport photographs, passports, personal record, announcement of death, and correspondence between Br Sherry and Frs Thomas J. Martin and Vincent Murphy, Mission Office, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin, Ireland.

File of material related to the admission and taking of vows of Fr Patrick Simpson SJ to the Society of Jesus. Includes correspondence related to Fr Simpson’s studies in Rome.

[Copy of] letter from Fr Nicholas Walsh SJ, Clongowes Wood College, to [Fr Assistant], asking to make his tertianship in Rome to do his third year of studies. (In Italian). Includes confirmation in Latin on reverse of letter of decision to allow him to go to Rome.

Letter from Fr John Grene SJ, Clongowes, to l’Abbé McDonald, [Fr John MacDonald SJ], Louvain. Gives news from Clongowes in relation to both the Community and school, including the progress of the Sodality, plays staged by the students, a meet of the provincial consultors etc. Also reports on Gardiner Street; the progress of building work in St Francis Xavier Church, and the Community there.
Also reports on political and social issues, including Daniel O’Connell’s activities in relation to Repeal, the campaign against landlords, the Lord Lieutenant’s policies, Peel’s new taxes. Refers to Belvedere, which he visited on a recent trip to Dublin, as ‘a splendid Mansion’. Also refers to a letter received from ‘Mr. Cooper of Calcutta’, which gives news of that part of the world.

Letter from Fr John Grene SJ, Clongowes, to l’Abbé McDonald, [Fr John MacDonald SJ], Louvain. Reports on the opening of Belvedere House, and on Fr Kenney’s progress on his way to Rome. Praises the students at Clongowes, and refers to new arrangements made for the Prefectship. Reports on other events involving the Community and the school, including the opening of the Debating Society, and a visit by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daniel O’Connell.

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.

Miscellaneous notes on the cause of the Irish Martyrs (none are in English and none of the martyrs mentioned were Jesuits). Includes letter from Rome (In French), 24 October 1888.

A file of letters relating to Fr Denis Murphy's work on behalf of the cause of the Irish Martyrs. Includes Fr Ryan, Reginlad Walsh O.P., Fr John Morris SJ, Percy Barron (Cistercian Priest), Sr Benedict Maria, Gilbert Dolan (Benedictine monk), J Clement Fowler (Benedictine monk),

A file of letters to Fr Charles Aylmer SJ. A brief précis to the letters is included in the file, and list of Irish Jesuits (1831).

Two copies of a letter from Fr Marmaduke Stone SJ to Fr Mozzi at the Gesú in Rome. A note explains that ‘it being judged hazardous to direct it to Rome it was sent to Rotterdam in the autumn of 1808’ to be forwarded to the Fr General in St Petersburg. The subject is property belonging to the Society in Dublin (In Latin with small summary in English).

A file of letters to Fr Bartholomew Esmonde SJ. A brief précis to the letters is included in the file.

Letter from Fr Bartholomew Esmonde SJ, Al Gesù, Rome to Mr & Miss Dennis, 5 Hardwicke Place, Dublin concerning the death of [ ].

Letter from Patrick Drinan SJ to Fr Bartholomew Esmonde SJ, Hardwicke Street Chapel, Dublin concerning his life in the noviceship in Rome. Another letter is written by James Patrick McDonnell on the reverse concerning St. Andrea. It would seem (the letter is almost indecipherable) that this second letter also concerns the noviceship in Rome.

A file relating to Fr Bartholomew Esmonde SJ missionary work in Malta. Includes documents relating to religious instruction of Catholics, descriptions of clerical controversy, disputes with Protestants, conversions of Protestants to Catholicism, preaching, Catholic education, addresses presented to the Governor of Malta, Fr Esmonde's Journal describing his time in Malta, correspondence. Letters are addressed to Fr Esmonde at San Calcedonia, outside Valletta. This house belonged to the Sicilian Province and Malta had a close connection with the Sicilian Province. Note: at least 50% of the documents are written in Italian.

A file of letters written by various people to Fr Robert Haly SJ:

• Includes a letter from Fr Murphy SJ referring to the polka. Remarks '…I do not consider it, absolutely speaking, a proximate occasion of sin, as I have the assurance of some reliable young persons of both sexes that they never found any harm in it (nd, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from Patrick Drinan SJ, Sant' Andrea, Rome describing his life as a novice in the Society of Jesus. Describes his fellow novices (21 March 1825, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Charles Aylmer SJ, Hardwicke Street, Dublin referring to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ. Remarks that he has returned from the Isle of Man. Continues '…(he has) done much good amongst those poor neglected Catholics. But now they are without a priest and of course will fall back again into the old way.' (28 August 1825, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from Prout concerning his ordination to Deaconship ([ ] 1828, 1p).
• Includes a letter from Fr St Leger SJ. Refers to the woods at Clongowes. Remarks that new trees have been planted and hundreds of old trees have been cut down. Refers to Daniel O'Connell 'Mr O'Connell hopes to enter Parliament by a clause in the Act of Union which only requires the oath of abjuration, which was abolished…C. Butler of London has published his opinion that Mr O'Connell's admittance to Parliament cannot be refused according to law…' Includes a note from Fr Peter Kenney SJ at the end of the letter concerning the death of Fr Haly's uncle, Robert in Calcutta on 27 July 1826 (30 September, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from [ ], Clongowes Wood College concerning Christmas celebrations in Clongowes. Refers to the church services and remarks that the Parisian Cope made its first appearance and 'dazzled the natives'. Remarks that the number of scholars in the college is small and many vacancies exist. Refers to Fr Aylmer and Fr St Leger and their plans to erect a new chapel in Dublin. Refers to Fr Moran's departure for Buenos Ayres. Refers to the political situation in Ireland and Daniel O'Connell's determination to go to Parliament (5 January 1829, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from George Oliver, St Nicholas' Priory, Exeter containing queries about members of the Society in Ireland for a publication he is preparing (17 July 1838, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Charles Aylmer SJ concerning his stay in Rome. Describes dining with Fr General on St Stanislaus Day (23 November 1838, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from Patrick Sheehan SJ, Roman College concerning news from Rome and general Society matters. Reports that Fr General is pleased with all the Provinces under his direction and has expressed a wish to open a Japanese Mission (30 November 1838, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from Bartholomew Esmonde SJ, Al Gesu, Rome enclosing a sketch of his design for the altar at St Francis Xavier's Church, Gardiner Street, Dublin (9 February 1842, 3pp).
• Includes a transcription of the same letter, 9 February 1842, by Fr Francis Finegan SJ [1975].
• Includes a letter from Fr Bartholomew Esmonde, SJ, San Calcedonio, Malta concerning the suspension of Fr Rillo by the Bishop. Remarks that the business has become public due to the intervention of Lord Clifford (25 July 1842, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from John Cunningham SJ, Rome. Refers to the political situation in Ireland and Daniel O'Connell. Refers to Fr Rillo and remarks that he is no longer in Malta. Remarks '…after his justification had been fully established he removed to Palermo. Mr Esmonde is authorised to select whom he pleases to succeed the former.' (25 November 1843, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Esmonde concerning his missionary work in Malta. Remarks 'I have a curious time of it here, strange folks as if all the odd fish of the Mediterranean had climbed up on this rock.' Refers to a new church opened by the Protestants on the island. Refers to the power of the government a governor of the island who control everything (15 November 1844, 2pp).
• Includes a letter from John Lynch, SJ, Church of St Joseph, Willings Alley, Philadelphia, PA describing his surroundings (1 February 1840, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from John Gaffney concerning the Archbishop's (Dr Cullen) decision to prohibit the dancing of the polka. Discusses the implications of this decision and expresses the opinion that the Society should not pursue a different course of action to the clergy of Dublin and rural areas (20 January 1858, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from Bishop George Browne of Elphin concerning a retreat to be conducted by Fr Robert Haly SJ. Refers to the parishioners eagerness for a mission (19 April 1858, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from the Bishop of Clonfert, John Derry agreeing to consecrate the Society's church in Galway (11 May 186[ ]), 4pp).
• Includes a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ granting Fr Haly privileges with regard to his mission work (26 September 1867, 3pp).
  Includes a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ advising Fr Haly on how to deal with confessors who declare they are members of the Fenians (8 December 1869, 4p

Biographical information on Fr Peter Kenney SJ, and material related to the early years of the Irish Vice-Province.

A file containing miscellaneous notes, MSS material and articles by Fr Roland Burke Savage SJ relating to his research on Fr Peter Kenney SJ. Includes letters to Fr Burke Savage concerning this research (2 May 1977 - 10 June 1986, 12 items). The file was used by Fr Morrissey for his research on Fr Peter Kenney SJ.

Correspondence mostly between two sisters and the Irish Fr Provincial concerning the sisters’ efforts to contest the will of their late cousin, Josephine Keshan, decd., 1910, who left the administration of her entire estate to the Society of Jesus. The matter was settled amicably.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr John MacErlean SJ on various matters including:
– Fr MacErlean’s censure on a Society Appeal for Funds;
– the progress of his historical research, news from Rome and news about the Society in Australia;
– the establishment of the Society in Ireland including a ‘list of whatever documents exist to my knowledge regarding the establishment of the Society in Ireland…What exactly the establishment of the Society in Ireland means I do not know. It may be a question for a canonist to solve. The canonical succession of the New Society to the Old is disputed, and Rome has never decided the point’;
– the proposed purchase of a volume consisting of ‘the indexes of the first eleven volumes of the Bollandist Acta Sanctorum down to the 3rd volume of April’ and the binding which is ‘much older than the contents…the binding of a Missal that was presented to Father (Nicholas) Leynach in 1613 - 14 by Francis Bray, at a time when Fr Leynach was trying to establish a chapel or oratory of the Society in Clonmel’;
– the Irish College in Rome;
– lists of books the Province could present to ‘the library to be established for the use of the Coll(egium) Scriptorum and a ‘list of those members of our Province who might now or hereafter be fit to cooperate with the Collegium Scriptorum in the production of works’ and a
– ‘Brief Sketch of the Work of the Irish Jesuits from the foundation to the Suppression of the Society 1540 – 1773’ (11pp).

Documents relating to a report on poverty in the Province sent to Rome in October 1926 in response to a letter sent in March 1926 by Fr General to the Irish Fr Provincial. Includes copy of Fr General’s letter, questionnaire and the responses which comprise the report.

Memoranda and letters to the Provincial on proposals to establish an amateur Irish Jesuit news agency to supply information to Radio Vaticana.

Correspondence between the Irish Fr Provincial and Jesuits on various matters such as

• the censure of those in various stages of formation;
• the proposal to purchase books dealing with the missions in order to establish ‘the nucleus of a useful missionary library’ in Milltown Park (See also ADMN/3/11);
• Catholics and Trinity College Dublin (See also ADMN/3/43; 76);
• villas;
• the introduction of legislation granting a rebate of income tax to parents having children at school;
• the ‘desirability’ of a ‘recognised uniform’ way of expressing ‘Society of Jesus’ in initials in English and Irish;
• the introduction of dancing classes ‘under the guidance of a certain number of lady instructresses’ without the permission of Irish Fr Provincial at Belvedere College;
• Irish scholastics in Jersey and
• examinations in ‘air raid precautions and anti-gas measures’ for male members of religious orders at the Air Raid Precautions School, Griffith Barracks, Dublin.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial relating to pictures of St Ignatius Loyola in a book by Mary Purcell.

Circulars and letters to Irish Fr Provincial Michael O'Grady SJ and Vice-Provincial Fr John Coyne SJ from Fr General John Baptist Janssens SJ, Fr Joseph Bolland SJ, English Assistant, Fr Friedrich Schwendimann SJ and others. Includes letters concerning the appointment of Iacobus Martegani as Italian Assistant (14 January 1955); the use of contraceptive devices by married couples (19 May 1955); the fourth centenary of the death of Ignatius Loyola (31 July 1955); the situation of the Society of Jesus in Poland (28 January 1957).

Correspondence between Dr John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin, and Irish Provincials Thomas Byrne and Michael O'Grady. Includes letters relating to the nominations of various Jesuits to be Spiritual Directors in Dublin technical schools; a series of lectures on the subject of marriage delivered by Provincial O'Grady (13 November 1954); Missions given to emigrants in England (31 January 1955); help in the Archbishop's ‘work against Communism’ (9 February 1955); Readers and History Books used in Jesuit schools (1 February 1955).

File of material relating to the admission of Desmond Collins to the Society of Jesus and subsequent professional life including correspondence relating to the Jesuit Seminary Association.

Correspondence between Thomas Fleming and his Irish Fr Provincials during his professional life in China and in Australia.

Handwritten history of the residence at St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin. Includes holograph letters from Fr Bartholomew Esmonde SJ, Rome to Frs Aylmer and Meagher, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street relating to the proposed altar, with illustrations of altar; history of St Francis Xavier's by Fr Kenney SJ; annual letters by Fr Curtis SJ (1841 - 47); Historia Domus of St Francis Xavier College (Belvedere) and residence by Fr Kavanagh SJ, notice of valuation of house at Upper Gardiner Street (1 March 1832); history of Upper Gardiner Street residence (1865 - 68); an oration made in aid of St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street (1833); annual letters by Fr O'Farrell SJ (1840);

Letter from Aloysius Fortis to Peter Kenney.

Letter from Aloysius Fortis to Peter Kenney.

Letter from Aloysius Fortis to Peter Kenney.

Letter from Jean Janssen.