Two articles on ‘The Functions of a Chaplain in a College of Third Level Education’ by Fr [Peter] Dunne SJ. Deals with the role of the chaplain in third level institutions and the facilities required by him to fulfil this role.

Two photographs of Fr Laurence Kearns SJ, outside builiding (possibly Bolton Street Technical College) in Dublin. He taught religion there, 1962-65.

Memorandum entitled ‘Students’ Centre for Bolton Street Apprentices’, giving an account of a meeting of the chaplains held in October 1965 to discuss the possible establishment of a students’ centre in the College.

Jesuit involvement as chaplains in VEC (Vocational Educational Committee) Colleges, Dublin can be traced to the early 1940’s when a number of Irish Jesuits taught religion in technical schools in Dublin. From 1951, when Fr John McAvoy SJ (1908-1983) was appointed Spiritual Director of the Centre of Technology in Bolton Street, Jesuits have worked as chaplains at the College of Commerce, Rathmines and at the Colleges of Technology, Bolton Street and Kevin Street.

The material consists of documents which outline the establishment of the College of Technology at Bolton Street; attempts to establish a student centre (1965); chaplains’ correspondence with Fr Provincial on the status and role of chaplains: problems and issues (1965-1973), ‘John Austin House’, 135 North Circular Road (1974) and a proposal to set up Jesuit house in Dominick Street (1976); Fr Provincial’s nominations for chaplains (1968-1976); Archbishop of Dublin’s Planning Commission for V.E.C. Colleges (1971-1972); Role of college chaplains ([ ]; 1973); reports (1973-1978); The V.E.C. and chaplains (1973; 1975).

‘An Historical Critique’. History of the College of Technology, Bolton Street from the 1950s up to the writing of the document, in relation to its development, education, student numbers and facilities. The writer, in an attempt to encourage the directors of the College to extend the facilities to cope with the changing needs of the students, warns of imminent revolt.

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.

Documents relating to ‘The Archbishop’s Planning Commission for Third Level Colleges under the City of Dublin Vocational Education Authority’, which was established to investigate the ‘religious, educational, emotional and intellectual needs of the students’ and to ‘determine the policy to be pursued and the measures to be taken for the adequate religious education of Catholic students attending Third Level Courses in the Colleges of the City of Dublin Vocational Education Group’. Includes a report of the Commission (4 May 1971, 11 pages).

Document entitled ‘Notes on Third Level Chaplains presently appointed to the Technological Colleges of the Dublin Vocational Education Committee’. Gives details of chaplains in various V.E.C. institutions, including Bolton Street and Kevin Street.

File of correspondence relating to the nominating of Jesuit priests as priest-teachers in the Vocational Schools (Bolton Street and Kevin Street). Includes letters from Monsignor John O'Regan (on behalf of the Archbishops of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid and Dermot Ryan) to the Irish Fr Provincials (Brendan Barry and Cecil McGarry), asking the latter to forward the names of their nominees, as well as the Provincials’ replies. These replies, as well as containing the names of nominees, often refer to the problems encountered by the priest-teachers in the Colleges in relations to their work-load, professional development, status within the Colleges etc. Also includes a letter from the Archbishop’s House to Irish Provincial Fr Patrick Doyle SJ, in relation to his nominations (22 June 1976, 1 page).