A file of letters between Irish Frs Provincial Laurence Kieran and John R MacMahon and Clongowes Wood College SJ regarding communications with the Department of Defence. The mater being considered was one where the Deptartment of Defence sought to use Clongowes as a place for storage of equipment, and in the event of an emergency, that a part of it might be used as a hospital. The advice was that Clongowes should not invite the Department of defence in, but they might have no choice. Initial letters are between Fr Fergal McGrath SJ, Rector, Clongowes Wood College SJ and Irish Fr Provincial L Kieran SJ as well as with Commandant PJ Delaney of the Department of Defence. Fr McGrath also sought the advice of his House Consultors, Fr William Dargan SJ, Henry King SJ and Cyril Power SJ. Subsequent letters were exchanged between Fr William Dargan SJ - who had been deputed to negotiate with the Ministers of Defence, Mr Oscar Traynor and Mr Francis Aiken, along with Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ.
In the event of an "emergency", the Provincial had wanted that Jesuit community members from Milltown Park and Rathfarnham Castle might be accommodated at Clongowes, along with the local community, and remaining staff and students. This was eventually accepted by the Department of Defence, as only a small portion of the buildings would be required to function as a hospital.