Showing 24 results

Correspondence with Fr Thomas Hurley SJ from and about ex-pupils, both lay and clerical. Letters from ex-pupils, their families and
acquaintances. Subjects include career histories, memories of teachers, classmates and schooldays, deaths of contemporaries etc. Many mention the SHC magazine/annual, in which Fr Hurley is involved, and some promise to send photographs of themselves to appear in the publication. Includes letters from sisters Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington and Katharine (aka Kathleen) Cruise O'Brien in relation to their father David Sheehy MP, who was educated at the Crescent (8 & 15 May 1933, 22 June 1933; 3 items).

The first Jesuit school in Limerick was founded by Father David Wolfe SJ (1528-c.1578) in 1565. Over the next three hundred years, the Jesuits presence in Limerick ebbed and flowed. By 1640, a Jesuit residence was established at Castle Lane and by 1672, a school was opened near St Mary’s Cathedral. After an interval of eighty-six years from the Suppression of the Society in 1773, the Jesuits returned to Limerick in 1859 after Bishop John Ryan (1784-1864) had invited the Society to establish a school in the city. The school initially opened in 1859 as St Munchin’s College on Hartstonge Street. The pioneer Jesuit community in 1859 were Frs Edward Kelly (1824-1905) (Rector), Thomas Kelly (1829-1898), Peter Foley (1826-1893), Edmund Hogan (1831-1917), Matthew Saurin (1825-1901) and one scholastic, Mr. Matthew Russell (1834-1912). In January 1862, the Jesuits purchased a neighbouring residence, Crescent House. The church building was started in 1864, opened in 1868 and named after the Sacred Heart in 1869. The college had ceased to be a seminary for the diocese in 1867 and was renamed the Sacred Heart College in 1873. Commonly known as the Crescent College, it ceased to be a fee paying school in 1971 and became the Crescent College Comprehensive SJ. In 1973 the Comprehensive moved to a modern greenfield site at Dooradoyle. Later it became a co-educational school and the Crescent Preparatory School was closed in 1976.

The bulk of material in the Crescent College Comprehensive SJ papers relate to: financial matters (1869-1990); community correspondence (1859-1992); performance and examination (1912-1966); pupils (1881-1974); school administration (1870-1971); school sports and theatre (1882-1969); deeds and leases (1809-1998); photographs (1884-1976).

Consists mainly of newspaper articles and photographs relating to past pupils' successes in academia and industry. Includes reports of qualifications and degrees, appointments, awards, prizes etc. Includes handwritten biographical details re. James Hassett, organist, and Maurice Hayes, radiologist. Also includes newspaper articles re. past pupils who became members of the British Army.

Mainly consists of newspaper photographs and reports regarding past Cresentians in, or attempting to get into politics, both local and national. Subjects include Desmond O'Malley of Fianna Fail (later Progressive Democrats), Donogh O'Malley, Minister for Health, and
James O'Higgins, Fianna Fail Dail candidate.

Consists of newspaper articles and some correspondence relating to ex-Cresentians involved in different areas of the arts. Includes material on the opera singer Joseph O'Mara, several artists, a poet, a playwright, and the actor Richard Harris.

Newspaper cuttings including articles and photographs (and both) re. the sporting endeavours of various past pupils of the Crescent, in fields such as tennis, cricket, rugby, athletics, golf and rowing.

Selection of draft and printed versions from 1960, 1961, 1962, 1968. Includes reports of events and developments of interest to past pupils of the College, including the annual dinner, retreats, organisations/groups, such as the Cecilian Music Society, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Ignatian Sodality, news from the College itself, as well as a list of members of the Union.

Crescent Past Pupils's Union. Includes newspaper reports on attendance and speeches, an invitation to attend the dinner in 1967.

Documents include those announcing the Union's establishment, and some inviting 'past Crescent boys' to join it, as well as documents concerning its rules/constitution.

Contains biographical information on various ex-pupils of the Crescent, including two articles on Dr John Joseph Cantwell, Archbishop of Los Angeles, as well as correspondence involving Fr.Peter Halpin SJ, Fr Patrick O'Reilly SJ and Fr Robert Tyndall SJ, on the subject of Fr William Benn SJ, who was an ex-pupil of the Crescent. Also contains some documents relating to Canon John Hayes, founder of Muintir na Tire, as well as material on that organisation. Other material includes newspaper articles reporting on matters involving
ex-pupils of the Crescent, including lectures and television appearances by Fr Thomas Stack C.C., Glendalough, re-unions of old classmates in Limerick, and an article on the Second Vatican Council by Fr Dominic Johnson O.S.B. Also includes a document entitled 'Limerick Jesuits on the Hongkong-Singapore Mission', which contains a brief biography of some Jesuit missioners, some of whom attended the Crescent. In addition, there is a handwritten list of some past pupils from the Crescent who joined the priesthood. Also includes some material, including correspondence, in relation to the celebrations and presentation to mark the Golden Jubilee of Fr. Gerard Guinane SJ in 1967.

Correspondence involving Fr Stephen Bates SJ in relation to an enquiry made by William J. C. Benington of Malvern Wells, Worcestershire, in relation to his grandfather William Purcell, who was a pupil at St Munchin's College from 1859.

Letters to Fr Stephen Bates SJ from and about Jesuit ex-students of the Crescent. Includes correspondence between Fr Bates and Fr James Finucane SJ, in which the latter attempts to identify subjects in various photos, and also gives information on the activities and careers of several ex-pupils. Also includes letters from Fr Peter Halpin SJ, which contain memories of his days as a pupil at the Crescent. Other correspondents also attempt to identify subjects in photos, write about their memories of their own schooldays, and give brief biographies of other ex-pupils, both lay and clerical.

Mainly from ex-students informing Fr Stephen Bates SJ of their and their ex-classmates' progress since leaving school. Many seem to be in reply to a request from Bates for information to be included in a 'Centenary Record' to be published to mark the centenary of the College in 1959, and in some letters the writers attempt to identify the subjects of various photos. Includes letters from ex-students working in the UK. Also includes correspondence from the sons, brothers and other relations of various men who were ex-Crescentians. Many reminisce fondly about their schooldays and refer with affection to Jesuits who taught or influenced them in some way, including Fr Tom Maher SJ, Fr Weafer SJ, Fr Guinane SJ, Fr Finucane SJ, Fr Hackett SJ and Brother Priest SJ. Includes a handwritten account by J.M. Hayes of his memories of his school days at the Crescent College. Describes the layout of the school building as he remembers it, and refers to various Jesuits and laymen who taught him over the years. Also refers to classmates, exams, prizes and theatricals in which he was involved. Also includes a letter from Clem O'Flynn to Thomas MacMahon, which refers to a letter from Fr Bates, and also lists some past pupils and their current situations.

Letter from John Butler of the Limerick Boys Club Council to a clerical member of the Cresent College Union, inviting the latter to form a Boys Club through the Union, and to affiliate with the Diocesan Clubs. Encloses a copy of the Constitution of the Council (included).

A letter each from Francis Ryan and Robert Ievers. The former expresses his delight on learning of the formation of 'the College Union'. Refers to several classmates - their professions and locations. (24 March 1960; 2 pages). Ievers reminisces about his schooldays, and reports on the status and activities of several classmates. Looks forward to seeing Br Priest the following August. (20 April 1960; 3 pages).

Limerick Branch activity of Crescent Past Pupils's Union - relating to the annual dinners organised by the Union in Limerick. Includes invitations, tickets, menus, newspaper articles reporting on the nights' events, including elections of new presidents, and speeches made.

Documents re. the establishment and early years of the union in London. Includes meeting minutes, lists of contact details of members and potential members. Correspondence includes letters to Fr Stephen Bates SJ from John McMahon and Fr Donough O'Malley, and one from the latter to Michael O'Malley, president of the Union.

Newspaper articles on the opening of the club's new grounds and pavilion at Rathbane, and subsequent celebration at the Royal George Hotel, on Sunday 8 December 1968. Includes souvenir programme and menu for the celebration dinner.

Letters from various clerics (and one novice), who were former pupils of the Crescent. Subjects include memories of schooldays and recent news of ex-classmates. Some refer to accompanying photographs (not included). Includes a letter from Canon John Hayes, founder of Muintir na Tire. Also includes some correspondence involving Sr. F. Stanislaus, Nellie Cantwell and Fr Stephen Bates SJ relating to John Joseph Cantwell, Archbishop of Los Angeles (1936-1947), who was an ex-pupil of the Crescent.

Documents include club rules (draft and final) and a newspaper article (1 item; 20 May 1967) announcing the election of Fr Guinane SJ as new president of the club.

Consists mainly of photographs and articles from various newspapers, with the names of ex-Crescentians highlighted. Includes an edition of 'The Irish Jesuit' on ordinations in 1969, and extracts from 'Luceat', the annual publication from St Patrick's College, Thurles.

Typed copy of reply to questionnaire, compiled by Fr Stephen Bates. Gives information regarding Crescent pupils after they finished school for the years 1959, 1960 and 1961, eg. the number who went on to university, to the priesthood etc. Also refers to the number of pupils who stay in or leave Limerick after the Leaving Certificate. Accompanied by a covering letter from Ted Russell, Union president, to Fr Bates.

List of names and addresses of members of the Union, divided alphabetically

Subscription receipt from the Crescent College Union for Fr John Ryan SJ.