Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1780-2018 (Creation)
Level of description
Subfonds
Extent and medium
16 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
In 1913, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) purchased the 16th century-built Rathfarnham Castle from a Dublin building company, Bailey and Gibson. Initially, the plan was for a noviciate for Jesuit novices and in time, for working men’s retreats to be established at the Castle. However, by September 1913, this had changed to a house of studies for those Jesuits attending university. This decision was made following the change of regulations to the National University requiring students to attend lectures whereas previously they could be prepared for examinations elsewhere. The Jesuit Juniors as they were known would live at the Castle and cycle to lectures at University College Dublin, then located at Earlsfort Terrace in the centre of Dublin.
The Jesuits engaged the architect, Charles B. Powell to modify the Castle in the summer of 1913. Blessed John Sullivan SJ (1861-1933) was Rector of Rathfarnham Castle for the years 1919-1924. Sullivan was a convert and the son of Sir Edward Sullivan, Lord Chancellor of Ireland (1883-1885). Sullivan’s rectorship was significant for the building of the retreat house in 1922, (working men’s retreats at the weekends and boy’s during the week). Some Jesuits on mission staff lived there. It became a home for tertian fathers (those Jesuits taking a renewal course following ordination) in 1940. The Castle continued to function as a Juniorate until 1975 and for retreats until 1986 when the Jesuits sold Rathfarnham Castle. The following year, it was purchased for the nation by the Office of Public Works.
Superior:
James Brennan SJ, 30 July 1913-15 January 1919;
Charles Doyle SJ, 16 January 1919-26 July 1919;
John Sullivan, 26 July 1919-19 May 1924;
John Keane SJ, 20 May 1924-1 August 1930;
Thomas V Nolan SJ, 2 August 1930-23 June 1936;
Patrick Kennedy SJ, 24 June 1936-28 July 1942;
Hugh Kelly SJ, 29 July 1942-28 July 1948;
Patrick Kenny SJ, 29 July 1948-13 March 1955;
John McDonald SJ, 14 March 1955-28 June 1961;
Fergal McGrath SJ, 29 June 1961-30 July 1967;
Patrick Doyle SJ, 31 July 1967-30 June 1971;
Eric Guiry SJ, 1 July 1971-30 July 1974;
Matthew Meade SJ, 31 July 1974-31 August 1982;
Richard Brenan SJ, 1 September 1982-1985.
Repository
Archival history
Material collected by Irish Jesuits.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
In 1913, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) purchased the 16th century-built Rathfarnham Castle from a Dublin building company, Bailey and Gibson. Initially, the plan was for a noviciate for Jesuit novices and in time, for working men’s retreats to be established at the Castle. However, by September 1913, this had changed to a house of studies for those Jesuits attending university. This decision was made following the change of regulations to the National University requiring students to attend lectures whereas previously they could be prepared for examinations elsewhere. The Jesuit Juniors as they were known would live at the Castle and cycle to lectures at University College Dublin, then located at Earlsfort Terrace in the centre of Dublin.
The papers of Rathfarnham Castle concern: the management of Rathfarnham Castle (1911-1995); the Jesuit community (1913-1985); the history of Rathfarnham Castle (1912-1994); the farm (1917-1920); the seismograph (1918-1954) and retreats (1922-1995). Material is in the form of letters, plans, maps and photographs.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
All items retained permanently.
Accruals
System of arrangement
Material was catalogued in 1999, with some additions in 2009 and 2013.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
The Irish Jesuit Archives are open only to bona fide researchers. Access by advance appointment. Further details: [email protected]
Conditions governing reproduction
No material may be reproduced without the written permission of the Archivist. Copyright restrictions apply. Photocopying is not available. Digital photography is at the discretion of the Archivist.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Burke, Damien. “The Jesuits at Rathfarnham Castle, 1913-23.” In Rebellion & Revolution in Dublin: Voices from a Suburb, Rathfarnham, 1913-23, edited by Daire Keogh and Marnie Hay, 137–44. Tallaght, Dublin: South Dublin Libraries, 2016.
Publication note
Ingram SJ, Fr Richard & Troddyn SJ, Fr Peter. M. ‘Earthquake recording at Rathfarnham Castle’. Irish Jesuit Directory and Year Book, 139-47, 1938.
Publication note
Leaflet on Rathfarnham Castle history from 16th to 20th century, produced by the Office of Public Works. c. 1990.
Publication note
McMahon SJ, Fr Tom. ‘Old Rathfarnham Days’, Dublin Historical Record, Vol. 40, No. 4, 143-44, Sep., 1987 and ‘Rathfarnham Castle’, Dublin Historical Record, Vol. 41, No. 1, 21-23, Dec.. 1987.
Publication note
O'Sullivan SJ, Fr Donal. ‘Inside the noviceship’, 20-28, Jesuit Year Book, 1955.
Publication note
‘Rathfarnham Castle’, Jesuit Year Book, 92-93, 1960.
Publication note
Scantlebury, Fr Charles SJ. ’Rathfarnham Castle’ in Dublin Historical Record, Vol. XII, No. 1, 20-30, Feb., 1951.
Publication note
Somerfield, Dr. A.E. ‘Rathfarnham Castle once shook to another beat’, Lifetimes, c.1995.
Publication note
Visitors’ guide on Rathfarnham Castle history from 16th to 20th century, produced by the Office of Public Works, 2008.
Publication note
Walsh, Louise. ’Rathfarnham Castle: A history’, 1995.
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
1999; 2022