The Jesuits: Their start, sign, system, secrecy, strategy

Material relating to Fr Thomas Martin SJ which includes some correspondence referring to his time as a chaplain in the Second World War, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and curia, personal record, death certificate and application to join the Society.

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 of letters to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Brown SJ (term 7 May 1883 - 2 February 1888). Includes an index/précis to the letters by Fr James Rabbitte SJ.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from possible candidates and various parish priests seeking information on and interviews to discuss, the possibility of entrance into the Society of Jesus. Also includes applications to join the Society; letters from those who have been accepted and letters concerning financial support from novices’ families.

A file of letters from Robert Tennant to Lord Thomas O'Hagan. Includes a letter discussing Charles Gavan Duffy's libel suit (he was defended by Lord O'Hagan) (25 June 1842, 7pp). Includes a letter referring to Daniel O'Connell. Remarks 'In every way therefore it would give me high gratification to go up with the address to O'Connell. That he should think it worth his while to wish it is an additional motive.' (17 June 1844, 3pp). Includes a letter referring to recent proceedings. Remarks 'I think I see through your generalities that you are disheartened and - may I say - disgruntled?...So am I. Upon the education question - in the cause of mixed and free education I can stand no compromise or hesitation. It is the hope of our country - the only thing...to make us a country in place of a den of wild sects. Repeal is but a triviality compared to this...I pray God to see the time when she will be a nation...either with or without repeal. (31 May 1945, 4pp).

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.

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).

Letter from Fr Willie Doyle SJ, 8th Royal Irish Fusiliers, to a relative of a casualty. Donated to the Irish Province in 1968 by Miss Brigid Duffy, 237 Lisburn Road, Belfast.

Letter from Muriel J. L Frazer, 48, Wellington Road, Belfast to Fr john J Coyne SJ regarding the contribution made by Fr John J Neary SJ, to the Caribbean voyage last winter.

Letter from Dr Charles Russell, Irish College, Rome to Rev. Doctor Denvir, Donegal Street, Belfast concerning a meeting with the Pope to put forward his 'case'. Describes how anxious he felt about the matter. Remarks 'Yesterday I received the official announcement of my liberation and they will proceed in the next congregation...to make a new appointment.'

Letter from Brian Trainor, Director of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ, enclosing ‘a few references which I came across in our card index some of which might be of interest,’ concerning Gwynn family genealogy.

Crossed letter from [ ], Belfast to Fr Matthew Russell SJ concerning [his/her] writing. Refers to Dr Cahill and the lectures he delivered in Belfast. Refers to a work of John Ruskin 'The Stones of Venice' recommended by Fr Russell and remarks that she got it from the library.

Draft of a letter from [ ], Belfast, to the Trustees of the Galway Congregational Church agreeing to purchase the premises formerly occupied as a Congregational Church. Outlines terms and conditions.

File relating to Br John K Rogers SJ, including application to join the Society, catalogue entries, and memorial card.

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).