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Fr Matthew Russell SJ (1834-1912) intended to found a devotional magazine with the name Catholic Ireland in 1873, but it emerged as a literary journal named 'The Irish Monthly'. Russell, who edited the magazine until his death, had a great talent for friendship, so people of many different backgrounds and beliefs wrote for him. He treated authors as members of a family circle and encouraged many women to write. He published W.B. Yeats, Oscar Wilde, Hillaire Belloc, Katherine Tynan and Dora Sigerson Shorter, amongst many others. The success of the Irish Monthly was remarkable at a time when the average Irish magazine had a five-year life span.

Fr Lambert McKenna SJ (1870-1956) was the next Editor. He had a great interest in the Irish language, so the journal published many unpublished Irish bardic poems. He changed the emphasis from a literary journal to concentrate on Catholic social and educational thought.

By 1933, the Monthly was in financial trouble, but efforts were made to revive it. With a circulation of about 600, it was in competition with Studies, the quarterly review published by Irish Jesuits since 1912. Given Ireland's small size and, therefore, small subscription base, in 1954 the Irish Monthly ceased.

1873- 1912 Matthew Russell (1834-1912)
Based at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, 1913-1933
1913 - Thomas Wheeler (1848-1913)
1914 - 1916 John F.X. O'Brien (1873-1920)
1917 - Lambert McKenna (1870-1956)
1918 - Lambert McKenna (1870-1956)
1919 - John F.X. O'Brien (1873-1920)
1920 - John F.X. O'Brien (1873-1920)
1921 - Joseph Darlington (1850-1939)
1922 - Joseph Darlington (1850-1939)
1923 - 1930 Lambert McKenna (1870-1956)
1931 - 1933 John Joy (1884-1950)
1934 - 1947 Timothy Mulcahy (1898-1962) (Belvedere College)
1948 - 1950 Roland Burke Savage (1912-1998) (35 Lower Leeson Street)
1951 - Edmund Keane (1916-2000) (35 Lower Leeson Street)
1952 - Michael Moloney (1913-1984) (35 Lower Leeson Street)
1953 - Michael Moloney (35 Lower Leeson Street)

Copies of 'The Irish Monthly':
June 1935;
For God and Spain, October 1936;
February 1938;

Statement of accounts from 31 August 1913 - 1 September 1914 for 'The Irish Monthly'.

Statement for subscription due to 'The Irish Monthly' from June 1932 to May 1933.

Records of the Irish Jesuits.

Documents examining ‘the question of the advisability or otherwise of our…(the Irish Jesuit Province)…founding & running a Weekly Paper’ following Fr General’s letter asking the Provincial to “find out the views of ‘peritorum Patrum’ on this subject.” Includes copy of circular letter and questionnaire sent by the Provincial to sixteen ‘knowledgeable’ Jesuits and replies from the following Fathers: Patrick Connolly (Editor of 'Studies'), Michael Kirwan, John Ryan, Aubrey Gwynn (ADMN/3/18; 29; 40), Timothy Corcoran, Michael Egan, Edward Cahill, Joseph Canavan, Timothy Mulcahy (Editor of 'Madonna', 'Irish Monthly' and 'The Jesuit Directory'), Edward J. Coyne (See also ADMN/3/29; 39; 42; 57), John McMahon, George Roche, John Keane, Charles Doyle (includes two unsigned replies from Frs Stephen Brown and Charles Scantlebury). Also includes tables of summaries of the views expressed.

A file of order forms for advertisements in 'The Irish Monthly'.

Handwritten notebook on Thomas à Kempis possibly belonging to Sir Francis R. Cruise.

Note written by [Fr Matthew Russell SJ] concerning a letter of John Edward Pigot implying that the letter in question was published in the [Irish Monthly]. This note does not appear to apply to the letters in this collection.

Memoranda, notes and reports following consultations concerning the future of the Irish Monthly.

Bound volume containing a list of subscribers and amounts paid to 'The Irish Monthly'.

Letters to the Irish Provincial on various matters. Includes letters concerning financial matters and;
– a complaint about an individual Jesuit with regard to his behaviour while conducting a retreat for nuns (See also ADMN/3/36);
– a draft deed of trust for the Father Delany Exhibition (See also ADMN/3/13);
– the health and financial affairs of various scholastics;
– the proposal for the establishment of a [school] at Tullabeg by the Society of Pious Missions;
– a conference of Jesuit Fathers in Chicago for the purpose of adopting a Provisional Constitution of the ‘Frequent Communion Guild’;
– requests for money from various individuals;
– the campaign to appoint a Catholic Director to the Board of Directors of the Clogher Valley Railway (the Society are shareholders in the Railway);
– the appointment of Jesuits to various offices;
– a petition to the British government ‘to show mercy to Roger Casement’;
– a proposed portrait of Archbishop Walsh by Sir John Lavery;
– a profit and loss account of the Irish Monthly for year ending 31 August 1914 (See also ADMN/3/20; 66; 67);
– the work of St. Joseph's Young Priests (See also ADMN/3/53);
– lists of locations of Retreats and names of priests giving Retreats for 1912 and 1913 (See also ADMN/3/36; 41);
– suggestions for Retreats given by Jesuits, by Dr Patrick Foley, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin (1896-1926) and memorandum on the scheme to establish a small lending library in Milltown Park for priests (See also ADMN/3/12; 38).

A file relating to William Henry Bliss. Includes letters from William Bliss to Dr Charles Russell and copies of Dr. Russell's letters to William Bliss. Includes 4 letters from William Bliss to Fr Matthew Russell SJ concerning the publication of the correspondence in the Irish Monthly (22 March 1880 - 24 September 1893, 4 items).

A file of letters from Hilaire Belloc to Fr Matthew Russell SJ. Includes a reference to the French elections. ‘Are you not delighted at the result of the French elections? I am. I do not like Kings...’. (30 October [ ], 3pp). Refers to articles he wishes to contribute to the Irish Monthly. (nd, 4pp). Discusses his future career ‘I have for the last week been visiting various people of importance with a view to choosing a profession, I want to be earning soon; I believe that my mathematics...will help me in Engineering - but I never live except when I am on the water.’ Refers also to his writing and describes it as ‘...the work of a boy, it is like those nasty little plums that come on the young wild plumtrees in the forest of Marly.’ Continues ‘But if you ask me why I write as I do, I will tell you this much: that in the circle of newspapers of criticism of perfectly turned verses, of madly-hunted ideas, I am all at sea. I would have it that no man should write who was not a zealot for something and when I desire, I desire the hills and the sea. I desire the faces of men and women not some unjust imitations. And I desire above all that free and happy forbearance and that perfection of charity which this country is absolutely unable to give.’ (5 February 1889, 4pp). Refers to writing and editing and remarks ‘If I ever become an editor I shall accept everything that touches me - irrespective of merit and shall refuse all well known names. There is a club in Paris called “La Decadence” into which no one cannot (sic) be admitted whose work has not been refused three times!’ (20 April 1889, 4pp). Refers to the Great War and remarks that he is looking forward to it ‘It will sweep Europe like a broom, it will make Kings jump like coffee beans on the roaster...’. Asks Fr. Russell to choose a composition from a ‘batch’. (30 June 1889, 4pp). Enquires why some of his verses have not appeared in the Irish Monthly. Remarks ‘I didn’t love it (The Irish Monthly) half as much as I should have done if my “poor thing but mine own” had been in it.’ (nd, 2pp). Refers to a visit he made to Ireland. Observes that ‘The Country is getting richer and it is high time. The Irish have too much political sense to boast of any success: they insist rather on what they need than on what they have, which is the right way to go about politics; but very soon people over here will wake up to find Ireland transformed.’ (1 January 1910, 2pp). Remarks that suggestions have been made to him to write a Catholic essay on the history of England ‘...but the only thing I can afford to write is a Catholic School history...’ (13 January 1911, 1p).

A file of letters from Fr Lambert McKenna SJ, Rathfarnham Castle, County Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ. Includes a letter concerning the mix up over his entry into the University. Remarks that he is trying to sort the problem out (nd, 2pp). Includes a letter referring to the Irish Dictionary he compiled (8 December [ ], 2pp). Includes a letter referring to the accounts of the 'Irish Monthly' (21 November 1916, 3pp).

A file of letters from Fr Joseph Darlington SJ, Rathfarnham Castle, County Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ concerning matters in the community and the spiritual direction/instruction of the Juniors and 'The Irish Monthly'. Includes a letter expressing his pleasure on taking over the editorship of 'The Irish Monthly'. Remarks that he has been missing something since he resigned as a professor in University College and feels this will fill the gap. (20 January 1920, 4pp) Includes a rough financial statement of 'The Irish Monthly' and a letter expressing his concern over the finances of the publication. (2 April 1920, 2pp & 17 August 1920, 2pp).

A file of letters from Fr John FX O'Brien SJ, Rathfarnham Castle, County Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ. Includes a letter concerning the community at Rathfarnham and the 'Irish Monthly'. Remarks that the publication should be 'pushed' by using posters to draw attention to it (17 December 1915, 4pp). Includes a letter suggesting Fr Kelly as business manager for the 'Irish Monthly' (17 August 1918, 4pp). Includes a letter revising his suggestion about Fr Kelly. Remarks '...I seem to have been much astray. The trouble is chiefly this: he is not a "man of action"; instead of doing, he thinks and talks about doing them.' (11 November 1918, 4pp).

A file of letters from Fr David Bearne SJ to Fr Matthew Russell SJ concerning contributions for 'The Irish Monthly'.

Letters and memoranda to the Irish Fr Provincial concerning the proposed re-publication of the 'Irish Monthly'.

Letter from Fr Michael Earls SJ to [ ] concerning a lecture he gave on Irish Music at Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Encloses a cutting from a newspaper and ask that it be passed on to Fr O'Brien SJ, of 'The Irish Monthly'.

Letter from Fr Matthew Russell SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial. Refers to the publication of the first volume of 'The Irish Monthly' as regards finances. Suggests that Fr Clery be appointed as financial manager, and discusses advertising in the publication. Also discusses the layout and encloses a trade-mark design (included).

Letter from Fr John Francis Hogan, President, St Patrick's College, Maynooth, County Kildare to Fr John F.X. O'Brien SJ concerning permission for students to subscribe to 'The Irish Monthly' and 'Studies'. Remarks 'In view of the stringent regulations there laid down they could not see their way to accede to your request.'

Letter from Fr John Conmee SJ, University College, Dublin to Fr Matthew Russell SJ (Editor of 'The Irish Monthly'), thanking him for the ‘kind and encouraging things’ Fr Russell said of Fr Conmee’s ‘little paper’ i.e. 'Old Times in the Barony', which was published as a booklet in 1900. “Anything I may write on the Barony is already promised to the New Ireland. If I can send you any thing worth printing…I will – but I only write on compulsion and compose – as the Scotch joke– wi’ deefeculty’ ”.

A file of letters from Dr Charles William Russell (note: two of the letters may in fact be from Charles Russell, Lord Russell of Killowen and brother of Fr Matthew Russell SJ) to his nephew Fr Matthew Russell SJ. Includes a letter discussing the title of 'The Irish Monthly' (founded by Fr Matthew Russell) (n.d., 4pp).

A file of invoices from Brown and Nolan Ltd., Manufacturing Stationers and Printers; Publishers and Booksellers made out to 'The Irish Monthly'.

In memoriam of Fr John FX O'Brien SJ from 'The Irish Monthly', with copy of Monthly.

Correspondence between the Irish Fr Provincial and successive editors of the 'Irish Monthly'. Includes: letters, memoranda and notes relating to deliberations on the future of the magazine in November 1932, discussions on the terms upon which the management of the 'Irish Monthly' could be changed and letters concerning the controversy caused by an article entitled ‘The Papal Encyclicals and the Banking Commission’ by Fr Edward Coyne SJ in which Fr Coyne was said by Mr Peter O'Loghlen, T.D. to have made ‘gravely misleading and damaging’ comments with reference to Mr O'Loghlen’s Report as a member of the Banking Commission.

Copy of ‘The Irish Monthly’, No. 174, Vol. XV,December 1887 published by M.H Gill & Son, with insert pp716-717 - letter from R M Levey, Violet Hill, Vico Road, Dalkey, Dublin to Dr Francis Cruise refering to Cruise's book on 'Thomas A Kempis' (14 May 1895), reviewed in said issue of ‘The Irish Monthly’. Dr Cruise name wriiten on front of ‘The Irish Monthly’.

Circular letter from Fr Lambert McKenna SJ, editor, 'The Irish Monthly' concerning the golden jubilee (50 years) of the publication and call for subscribers.

Biographical material on Fr Richard Conway SJ. Includes 'P. Richard Conway SJ (1573 – 1626)' by Fr John MacErlean SJ, in 13 parts, being extracts from 'The Irish Monthly', February 1923 to February 1924, bound together in one hardcover volume (74pp) and bound extract from the 'Irish Jesuit Directory', 'Fr Richard Conway SJ 1573 – 1626. Abbreviated from the account published by Fr John MacErlean, S.J. in the Irish Monthly, 1923 – 24. (n.d., 17pp).

Biographical information on Fr Thomas Aloysius Finlay SJ (1848-1940). Includes obituary of Fr Finlay by George O'Brien, Professor of Economics, University College, published in The Economic Journal, The Quarterly Journal of The Royal Economic Society, No. 197, Vol. 1, p.157-159 (March 1940, 3pp) and obituary, also by Prof. O'Brien published in the Irish Monthly (March 1940, p.142- 144) originally broadcast on Radio Eireann.

Article published in the 'Irish Monthly' entitled 'Christian Influence in Post-War China' by Bishop Paul Yu-Pin. Includes a review of Fr Thomas Ryan's book Jesuits Under Fire.

Articles in 'The Irish Monthly', entitled 'The Prayer Book of the Church' (p.393 - 397).

Articles in 'The Irish Monthly', entitled 'The Only Way' (In three parts: Part I: p.188 – 195; Part II: 232 – 237 and Part III: p.280 – 288.

Article by Fr Henry Gill SJ in 'The Irish Monthly', entitled 'The Church and Spiritualism' (p.33 - 40).

Articles in 'The Irish Monthly', entitled 'Spiritual Communion' (p.514 – 519).

Article by Fr Henry Gill SJ in 'The Irish Monthly', entitled 'Galway Bay' (p.183-185).

Article by Fr Henry Gill SJ in 'The Irish Monthly', entitled 'As Strong as Death' (p.526 - 532).

Article by Fr Henry Gill SJ in 'The Irish Monthly', entitled 'A Thought on Miracles' (p.760 - 763).

Articles in 'The Irish Monthly', entitled ‘Weatherwise’, (p.378 - 379).

Article by Fr Henry Gill SJ in 'The Irish Monthly', entitled ‘Give Me Only Thy Love!’ (p.238 - 244).

Article published in 'The Irish Monthly' by most Rev. Dr. Paul Yu Pin entitled 'Recall to Tradition in the Chinese Missions'.

Photocopy of article entitled ‘Popularizing Spanish literature in 1930's Ireland; Aodh de Blacam and the Irish Monthly’ by Susannah Riordan, taken from ‘Spanish - Irish relations through the Ages’ edited by Declan M. Downey and Julio Crespo MacLennan, Four Courts Press, 2008, pp175-188.