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St Mary's, Emo, Laois, 1930-1969
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'There was an Ancient House' by Benedict Kiely

Book entitled 'There was an Ancient House' by Benedict Kiely, Methusen and Co Ltd, London. A novel where ‘in a country house thirty novices of a religious order are learning a new, strange life, some failing, others succeeding in conforming to the pattern laid down by rule’. Benedict Kiely was a novice at St Mary's, Emo

Kiely, Benedict, 1919-2007, writer, critic, journalist and former Jesuit novice

St Mary's, Emo, County Laois

Emo Court, County Laois was under Jesuit ownership from 1930 until 1969. Now in the hands of the Office of Public Works, the history of Emo dates back to the Earls of Portarlington in the eighteenth century. The first earl, John Dawson, commissioned the building of Emo Court in 1790; it is one of only a few private houses designed by the architect James Gandon. The Portarlington’s sold Emo in 1920 to the Land Commission and the Jesuits purchased the property in 1930, to be used as a novitiate (house of first formation). The Jesuits found Emo in a dilapidated state, with grass growing up through the floorboards. They made significant structural changes in order for it to function as a novitiate rather than as a family home. Many items were removed however they were stored in the basement (fireplace wrapped in blankets). Renowned photographer, Fr Frank Browne SJ, was one of the first Jesuits to take up residence there and he took many photographs of Emo Court.

In 1969, the Jesuits sold Emo to Major Cholmeley Dering Cholmeley-Harrison. He restored the house, sparing no expense, and donated it to the Irish State in 1995. In 2012 the Office of Public Works opened a permanent exhibition on Fr Frank Browne SJ at Emo Court.

The papers of St Mary’s, Emo concern the management of the Emo estate (1900-1995), establishment of the Jesuit community (1928-1930), maintenance, upkeep and expenditure (1931-1970), forestry and the sale of Emo (1969-1970; 1995). There is some material on the Jesuit community (1934-1962) and novitiate (1930-1969) however there is very little in the way of information on individual novices. Material is in the form of handwritten letters, ledgers, architectural plans, maps and photographs.

Rector/Superior of St Mary's, Emo:
Patrick Kenny, Vice-Superior, 31 July 1930;
John Deevy, Vice-Superior, 29 July 1932;
John Deevy, Rector, 7 October 1937;
John Neary, Vice-Rector, 30 July 1944;
Jerome Mahony, Vice-Rector, 30 July 1945;
Thomas Byrne, Rector, 2 June 1947;
Donal O'Sullivan, Rector, 15 August 1947;
Timothy Mulcahy, Rector, 10 October 1959;
Patrick Cusack, Rector, 21 November 1961;
Joseph Dargan, Rector, 26 June 1968;
The noviceship changes to Manresa House, Dollymount, 12 September 1969.

Master of Novices, St Mary's, Emo:
Martin Maher; July 1930;
John Coyne;
John Neary; October 1934
Donal O'Sullivan
Paddy Cusack
Joseph Dargan, 1968-1969

St Mary's, Emo, Laois, 1930-1969

Sketch map of the Clochar, Emo

Sketch map of the Clochar. Shows the layout of the gardens and the species of trees and plants. The Clochar (or Clucker) comes from the Irish word for convent. 'There is also a story that this part of the garden was where the maids in the house were allowed to come to gossip and relax – hens clucking!'

Retrenchment in expenses

Letters and circular letters concerning a circular letter from Fr General on economy measures and assisting the poor during the ‘severe economic crisis’. Includes draft of circular letter sent by Irish Fr Provincial to Jesuit houses on ways and means of economising in order to carry out the wishes expressed in Fr General’s letter and replies following House Consultations from Belvedere College; Milltown Park, 35 Lower Leeson Street; St Francis Xavier’s, Upper Gardiner Street; St Ignatius’ College, Galway; S. Stanislaus’ College, Tullamore; Clongowes Wood College, Naas; Sacred Heart College and Mungret College, Limerick and St Mary’s, Emo Court. Also includes circular list of economy measures issued to all houses.

Photocopy of 'Irish Province News', which describes the death on 27 June 1950 of postulant Mr John Callaghan

Photocopy of entry in the Irish Province News, October 1950, which describes the death on 27 June 1950 of postulant Mr John Callaghan, who fell on the scullery stairs.

In course of conversation in 2015, between Damien Burke and Jim McCabe, ascertained that John Callaghan carrying delph down the stairs to the basement when he slipped and hit his head.

Material relating to Fr Richard J Kennedy SJ

  • IE IJA J/216/1
  • File
  • 7 July 1924-26 March 1960

    • Part of Irish Jesuits

Material relating to Fr Richard J Kennedy SJ including correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and curia, personal record and application to join the Society.

Material relating to Fr Laurence O'Neill SJ

A file relating to Fr Laurence O'Neill SJ, his entry into the Society of Jesus, his ill health, his four years in Australia as a scholastic and his death.

O'Neill, Laurence, 1907-1987, Jesuit priest

Material relating to Fr Gregory Ffrench SJ

  • IE IJA J/147/1
  • File
  • 5 February 1936 - 19 August 1985

    • Part of Irish Jesuits

Material relating to Fr Gregory Ffrench SJ which includes correspondence concerning his work for the Society throughout his life. Includes notes by Msgr Alfred O'Rahilly on the life of Fr Willie Doyle SJ sent to Fr Ffrench SJ (18 August 1964, 2pp). Includes a letter from Fr Ffrench SJ, Jesuit Retreat Centre, Tullamore, County Offaly to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the closure of Emo. Remarks 'But this dinner for Ours on the 11th? Apart from considerations of poverty, I cannot see that the closing of Emo is any occasion for festivity. After all, Emo is being closed because God does not see fit to bless the Province as at present being run with sufficient vocations to justify keeping it open.' (27 August 1969, 3pp). Includes correspondence concerning his work for the Crusaders of the Blessed Sacrament (1974-1982).

Material on the promotion of 'Catholic Action’

Documents relating to a report prepared by the Irish Fr Provincial for Fr General on the activities of the Irish Province for ‘the promotion of Catholic Action’. Includes covering letter and questionnaire sent out by the Irish Fr Provincial to Jesuit houses and individuals with detailed replies from: St Francis Xavier’s, Upper Gardiner Street; Milltown Park, Dublin; Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin; St Stanislaus’ College, Tullamore; St Mary’s, Emo Court; University Hall, Hatch Street; Belvedere College; Clongowes Wood College; St Ignatius’ College, Galway; Sacred Heart College, Limerick; the editors of the following periodicals: 'Madonna', 'The Messenger of the Sacred Heart', 'An Timire' (The Gaelic Messenger), and 'Studies'. Also includes handwritten draft report entitled ‘The Society of Jesus in Ireland and Catholic Action’ (Summer 1936) and final printed Latin version 'De Actione Catholica in Hibernia'.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial relating to education, finance and formation

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial on various matters. Includes letters concerning:
– the creation of a new entrance to Manresa House in Dollymount and the sale of the old gate lodge to the developer of the site (see also ADMN/3/43);
– various Consultors’ opinions with regard to Fr. General’s Letters on The Social Apostolate;
– the Irish Hierarchy’s opinion of the Health Bill of 1952;
– ‘the dangers there is for Catholics to go to Trinity College’ (see also ADMN/3/38);
– copy of a ‘Report of the Jesuit Schools in the Archdiocese of Dublin on the Programme for Religious Instruction in the Primary Schools’ (see also ADMN/3/57);
– a lectureship in mathematical-physics in U.C.D.;
– the requirements for the post of lecturer in Cosmology in U.C.D.;
– the death of Fr James Magan SJ and
– letter and memorandum to the Provincial concerning Latin study in the Novitiate.
Also includes letters from President Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh (see also ADMN/3/59) concerning his audience with the Pope and sending Christmas greetings and copy of Irish Fr Provincial’s reply.

Letters from Fr Francis Browne SJ to the Irish Provincial on various matters

  • IE IJA J/7/10
  • File
  • 24 July 1942-14 July 1947

    • Part of Irish Jesuits

Letters from Fr Francis Browne SJ, many written from St Mary’s, Emo, Portarlington, County Laois, to the Irish Provincial on various matters (mostly seeking permission to travel to different locations for the purposes of giving retreats, lectures, visiting friends and family), including his health and his photographic work. Includes letters:
– referring to his securing photos of ‘the ruins on Inniscaltra in Lough Derg…(and)…Castletown at Celbridge’ (29 June 1944, 2pp);
– referring to his eldest sister, Mother Josephine in the Ursuline Convent, Blackrock, County Dublin (17 and 20 September 1944, 2 items);
– concerning his travelling expenses (28 October and 2 November 1944, 2 items);
– his making ‘a set of photographs in Curraghmore House … because I am collecting a set of Georgian Houses & Curraghmore was on the list given me by the Georgian Society’ (9 April 1945, 3pp);
– regarding his ‘camera work’. ‘As you know, I am supplying a series of pictures of “Historic Mansions” each month to ‘Irish Tatler & Sketch’. The first of the series were photos of Shelton Abbey for which the present Lord Wicklow gave his very willing approval…he proposes utilising c as a kind of Hotel or “Country Club” He asked me whether it would be possible for me to go there again to take further photos before the necessary alterations are made’ (8 April 1947, 3pp);
– stating ‘…the editor of ‘Tatler & Sketch’ is pressing me for a further series of “Historic Mansions” to be published in the Autumn. Apparently he found that the first series – Jan. to May – was very popular. Would you permit me to do some journeys for this purpose & to debit them to a “Villa” account: not, as usual, to my Camera account?’ (23 June 1947, 3pp) and
– stating ‘I enclose a list of places I wish to photograph for my next series of “Historic Mansions” – which is due to begin in October. The last set – January – May, brought me £25, & the next will be even more profitable, because the Editor told me that he is so satisfied with the results, that he will print more pictures of each house in the next series’ (14 July 1947, 2pp).

Browne, Francis M, 1880-1960, Jesuit priest, photographer and chaplain

Letter from the Bishop of Ferns concerning the Society of Jesus' desire to establish a community house in the Diocese of Ferns

Letter from William Codd, Bishop of Ferns, Summerhill, County Wexford to Irish Fr Provincial John Fahy SJ concerning the Society of Jesus' desire to establish a community house in the Diocese of Ferns. Remarks 'They have about a score of applications from Religious Congregations and Orders for permission to take up property here within the past few years...they made an exhaustive inquiry as to whether the needs of any part of the diocese or of the whole would admit the introduction of a new congregation...they came to the unanimous conclusion that they could see no need at all for this.'

Codd, William, 1864-1938, Roman Catholic Bishop of Ferns

Letter from Laurence J. McCabe, Jackson-Stops and McCabe, to Fr William Dargan SJ concerning items to be included in the sale of Emo

Letter from Laurence J. McCabe, Jackson-Stops and McCabe, Auctioneers, Valuers and Estate Agents, 8 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 to Fr William Dargan SJ, 85 Eglinton Road, Dublin 4 concerning items to be included in the sale of Emo. Includes the list of items.

Jackson, Stops and McCabe, auctioneers

Letter from J. A. Kenny and Partners, Consulting Engineers to Rev. William Dargan SJ concerning the account for the centralisation of the boiler plant at Emo

Letter from Eoin Kenny, J. A. Kenny and Partners, Consulting Engineers, 44 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 to Rev. William Dargan SJ, 84 Eglinton Road, Dublin 4 concerning the account for the centralisation of the boiler plant at Emo. Includes a detailed account of the cost of the work carried out.

J. A. Kenny and Partners, Consulting Engineers

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial to Rector [St Mary's, Emo] concerning books needed by the Australian Province for five scholastics from Hong Kong

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin to Rector [St Mary's, Emo] concerning books needed by the Australian Province for five scholastics from Hong Kong. Refers also to a Scholastic who wishes now to be a Brother. Asks if the individual must do the Noviceship again. Includes a page with pencil notations.

Kieran, Laurence J, 1881-1945, Jesuit priest

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial to Fr Joseph Dargan SJ, Rector, St Mary's, Emo thanking him for sending Fr O'Connor's letter regarding the Codd bequest

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial Cecil McGarry SJ to Fr Joseph Dargan SJ, Rector, St Mary's, Emo thanking him for sending Fr O'Connor's letter regarding the Codd bequest. Remarks that he is going to offer the library, the portraits and the bust to Clongowes Wood College.

McGarry, Cecil, 1929-2009, Jesuit priest

Letter from Fr Charles O'Connor SJ to Fr Rector, St Mary's, Emo describing how the Society became beneficiaries in the will of Rebecca Codd

Letter from Fr Charles O'Connor SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare to Fr Joseph Dargan SJ, Rector, St Mary's, Emo describing how the Society became beneficiaries in the will of Rebecca Codd and the items that were left to the Society in her will.

O'Connor, Charles E, 1920-2014, Jesuit priest

Fr William Richard Prendergast SJ

A file relating to Fr William R Prendergast SJ, including application to join the Society, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials, catalogue entries, memorial card and an album of black and white photographs (Jesuit life, villa, school and family photographs (1916-1950).

Prendergast, William Richard, 1906-1971, Jesuit priest

Fr Redmond Francis Roche SJ

File relating to Fr Redmond F Roche SJ, including application to join the Society, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials, catalogue entries, memorial card and (57) photographs of Jesuits, on holiday, plays, and outdoor scenes (some of the same photographs are in the papers of Fr William R Prendergast SJ, IE IJA J/365).

Roche, Redmond Francis, 1904-1983, Jesuit priest

Fr Gerard O'Beirne SJ

File of materiel relating to Fr Gerard O'Beirne SJ which includes correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and curia, personal record and application to join the Society.

O'Beirne, Gerard, 1905-1986, Jesuit priest

Fr Brian J Cullen SJ

File containing ordination papers, biographical material and some letters relating to Fr Brian J Cullen SJ.

Cullen, Brian J, 1917-1995, Jesuit priest

Fr Brendan Brennan SJ

Catalogue entries and memorial card for Fr Brendan Brennan SJ.

Brennan, Brendan, 1910-1968, Jesuit priest

File relating to Fr Terence Sheridan SJ

File relating to Fr Terence Sheridan SJ, including correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials, catalogue entries, photocopies of newspaper cuttings, and photographs.

Diary of William White as in schoolboy in Mungret College, Limerick

  • IE IJA J/14/3
  • Item
  • 11 January - 3 September 1930

    • Part of Irish Jesuits

Diary of William White as in schoolboy in Mungret College, Limerick. Includes his last entry before leaving to join the Society of Jesus on 3 September 1930 – ‘Fr. Hanrahan Went home on 9 oc Bus I was at 10 oc Mass. Say (sic.) Mrs. Par[le] etc. Mother Paul. Left for Emo at 1.45. Good bye’

Correspondence of bequests made to Father Provincial regarding the Hong Kong and China missions

A file relating to correspondence of bequests made to Irish Fr Provincial regarding the Hong Kong and China missions.

  • Perpetual burse in memory of Fr WM. Doyle SJ in the new seminary in Hong Kong (1936);
  • Perpetual burse in memory of Fr Walsh SJ in Hong Kong (1936);
  • Memorial burse in memory of Fr Fegan SJ in China (1936);
  • List of burse money for the education of Chinese Jesuits (13 September 1940);
  • Statement of accounts for quarter the Ricci Mission Unit (1 July - 30 September 1943).

Correspondence between Fr Robert Nash SJ and Irish Fr Provincials

  • IE IJA J/300/4
  • File
  • 12 October 1936 - 30 August 1989

    • Part of Irish Jesuits

File of correspondence between Fr Robert Nash SJ and Irish Fr Provincials concerning his schedules of missions and retreats, publications, places of residence, donations and issues arising from his articles in the ‘Irish Press’. Also contains the censor’s report on an early pamphlet, ‘Not Yours’ and death notice and obituaries.

Copy of circular letter sent by the Irish Fr Provincial to Jesuit houses inquiring as to ‘the practice in…(each)…House as regards the serving of whiskey and wine on coffee evenings

Copy of circular letter sent by the Irish Fr Provincial to Jesuit houses inquiring as to ‘the practice in…(each)…House as regards the serving of whiskey and wine on coffee evenings which are (1) de jure; and (2) ex gratia. Is whiskey allowed on every coffee evening, and what is the quantity of wine permitted to each…is there any special treatment in the refectory for visitors.’ Includes replies to the circular from the Rectors of St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg; Milltown Park; Rathfarnham; Belvedere College; St Ignatius’ College, Galway; Clongowes Wood College, Naas, Co. Kildare; St. Mary’s, Emo Court, Portarlington, County Laois; Sacred Heart College, The Crescent, Limerick; No. 35 Lower Leeson Street; St. Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street and Mungret College, Limerick.

Br William J Fitzgerald SJ

  • IE IJA J/505
  • File
  • 13 May 1949 - 8 September 1995

    • Part of Irish Jesuits

Material relating to William Fitzgerald's admission to the Society, correspondence relating to his move from Emo to Clongowes Wood in 1967, catalogue entries and his death notice.

Fitzgerald, William J, 1921-1995, Jesuit brother

Br Patrick Guidera SJ

  • IE IJA J/503
  • File
  • 30 April 1933 - 26 December 1992

    • Part of Irish Jesuits

File relating to the admission of Patrick Guidera to the the Society and his Jesuit life in particular his work at the Jesuit house at Tullabeg. Includes copy of his ‘The Story of My Life’ (199, Cherryfield Press, 80pp) with illustrations from the Fr Frank Browne Collection.

Guidera, Patrick, 1900-1992, Jesuit brother

Br John Kevin Rogers SJ

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

Rogers, John Kevin, 1905-1976, Jesuit brother

Biographical information on Br William Glanville SJ

  • IE IJA J/165/1
  • File
  • 2 August 1944 - 6 March 1984

    • Part of Irish Jesuits

Biographical information on Br William Glanville SJ and correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials. Includes a photograph of Br William Glanville SJ and Fr Sean Noonan SJ, September 1957, and mortuary card.

Beadle's journal for St Mary's, Emo

Beadle's journal for St Mary's, Emo. The Beadle was the head novice and kept a record of the daily activities of the novices. The Beadle was normally appointed for a three month period. A list of beadles is given on inside page. In the English Province the Beadle was known as the Novice's Porter.

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