File containing Richard Maguire's admission papers and correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials relating to retreat and mission work and his time as chaplain at the Royal Hospital of the Incurables, Donnybrook, Dublin.

Draft of a circular letter from [ ], Milltown Park, Dublin to [ ] concerning the organisation of a retreat for lay gentleman.

Letter from Bishop of Meath, Matthew Gaffney to Irish Fr Provincial James F Murphy SJ. Asks him to designate a priest to give the diocesan retreat in the following July if he (the Provincial) cannot do it. Includes note written by the Provincial stating that he promised that Fr [Reidy] would give the retreat if at all possible.

Letter from Bishop Thomas Furlong to Dr O'Reilly. Asks him to provide a retreat at Milltown Park, Dublin for four young men whom Bishop Furlong intends to ordain at the end of the month.

Letter from Dr David Moriarty, Bishop of Ardfert, to Dr Edmund O'Reilly SJ. Informs him of the arrangements for a retreat for priests to be held near Killarney, to be facilitated by O'Reilly. Refers also to a synod to be held.

Letter from Dr James Lynch, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, to Fr Alfred Murphy SJ. Asks the latter to provide him two clerical retreats in the following July. Advises him to get in touch with the president of Carlow College to arrange dates.

Letter from Dr John Healy, Archbishop of Tuam to Fr William Ronan SJ. Asks the latter to organise a retreat for clergy in Loughrea, and to send him two priests to conduct a retreat for the people of Portumna.

Letter from Dr. John Healy, Bishop of Clonfert, to Irish Fr Provincial. Hopes that the latter can provide him with one of his priests to conduct the annual clerical retreat at St Joseph's College, Ballinasloe.

Letter from Dr John Keys O’Doherty, Bishop of Derry, to Fr James F Murphy SJ. Writes in relation to retreats for the clergy, which he hopes Murphy will conduct, or at least arrange, in July.

Letter from Dr Richard A. Sheehan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, to Irish Fr Provincial Fr Patrick Keating, Hopes that the latter can send one or more Jesuit priests to conduct the clerical retreats in his diocese. Asks specifically for Fr Cullen SJ.

Letter from Dr Thomas A. O'Callaghan, Bishop of Cork, to Fr Alfred Murphy SJ. Writes in relation to the arrangements for a retreat in Cork, which is to be conducted by a Jesuit.

Letter from Fr Eugene Ward SJ, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial John R McMahon SJ asking him to say Mass for the promoters of the Retreat House and to have dinner afterwards.

Letter from Fr J. Halpin, P.P., St Colmans, Scariff, County Clare, to the [Father Superior]. Suggests that the practice of devotion to the Blessed Sacrament be encouraged at clerical retreats given by Jesuits.

Copy letter from Fr Matthew Meade SJ, Director, Retreat House, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin to Retreat Promoters, Retreat House, Rathfarnham Castle concerning the new road and long term development plans and how these might affect Rathfarnham Castle. Reassures the Association that the work of the retreats will not be disrupted.

Letter from Fr Tom Counihan SJ, Retreat House, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial Michael O'Grady SJ concerning the number of retreats being organised at Rathfarnham. Refers to the need for a kitchen and remarks that funds could be raised through the Layman's Retreat Association.

Letter from Fr Tom Counihan SJ, Retreat House, Rathfarnham, Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial Michael O'Grady SJ concerning the running of the Retreat House. Expresses his concerns 'I cannot get Fr Joe to see that the iron heel, threats and expulsions are all futile...I appealed to him not to break my heart...no good. Joe is going to build a new tradition on fear and terror!'

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin to Fr Joseph Erraught SJ concerning the availability of rooms in Gardiner Street for retreats. Remarks that there is a shortage of space in the house. Continues that it may be necessary for Rathfarnham to 'cede' some rooms.

Letter from John Conmy, Bishop of Killala to Irish Fr Provincial James Murphy SJ. Asks him to send one of his Fathers to conduct a retreat for the nuns in Ballina.

Letter from John Conmy, Bishop of Killala to Irish Fr Provincial James Murphy SJ. Writes in relation to a retreat to be arranged by Fr Murphy for nuns in Ballina.

Letter from John MacHale, Archbishop of Tuam, to Irish Fr Provincial Joseph Lentaigne SJ. Refers to the latter's letter, which announced that Fr O’Reilly was being sent to MacHale’s diocese to conduct a retreat for the clergy on 20 August. Expresses his gratitude.

Letter from Michael Scott, Architect, 19 Merrion Square, Dublin to Fr Joseph Erraught SJ, Retreat House, Rathfarnham Castle concerning the erection of a statue of St Ignatius by the sculptor Oisín Kelly at Rathfarnham and payment for same.

Letter from Michael Slattery, Archbishop of Cashel, to Fr Peter Kenney SJ, Clongowes. Asks the latter to give a retreat to the clergy of Cashel diocese the following July.

Letter from Mrs P. Elkinson, Secretary, Catholic Marriage Advisory Council, All Hallows College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 to Fr Matthew Meade SJ, Rathfarnham Retreat House, Dublin 14 concerning payment for a retreat attended at Rathfarnham.

Letter from Thomas Keogh, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Braganza House, Carlow to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ complimenting Fr Counihan's retreat to priests in Carlow.

Letter from Fr John Bannon SJ to Fr Aloysius Sturzo SJ. Informs the latter that [Br.] Carolan wishes to make a few days’ retreat at Milltown Park, Dublin.

A file of letters concerning retreats given by Fr John Counihan SJ to the novices in the Society of African Missions.

A file of letters from Fr Joseph Erraught SJ to Irish Fr Provincial O'Grady SJ expressing his concerns over the retreats organised at Rathfarnham and how the organisation of the Retreat House might be improved.

Letters from Fr Patrick O'Mara SJ, Leighlinbridge, County Carlow to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V Nolan SJ concerning the taking of a retreat provided he can have a rest beforehand and his commission to join an Irish regiment as a chaplain in World War One.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Leonard Sheil SJ, various Jesuits and others relating to Fr Sheil’s work in the Jesuit church in Galway. Includes:
– letters from Fr Sheil and the Secretary of the International Catholic Girls’ Protection Society (Veritas House, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin) regarding radio broadcasts for Irish emigrants in England and an appeal for funds for the I.C.G.P.S. (see also J16/6) (7 November 1941 - 6 June 1942, 3 items);
– letters from Fr Hugh Kelly SJ (Rector, Rathfarnham Castle) and Fr Patrick O'Kelly SJ (Director of the Pioneers Association) reporting complaints about Fr Sheil’s behaviour with regard to the content of his lectures to secondary school girls, his running of the Sodalities in Galway and his comments to a young girl who came to him for religious instruction (17 November - 20 December 1942, 4 items);
– letters from Fr Sheil, Fr Hugh Kelly SJ and the Superior of the Presentation Convent, Dundrum, County Tipperary requesting permission for Fr Sheil to give various lectures and retreats and to act as Special Confessor to the nuns of Dundrum Presentation Convent (26 January - 24 May 1943, 3 items) and
– letter from Fr Sheil enclosing a list of his sodality work in Galway, to help his successor, ‘I have tried all these two years to get these works into such order that anyone could carry them on, but I have not had the time. Many details of organization have still to be put into practice. The walls are built but the roof is not yet on. However there is plenty of brains and holiness among the men and women engaged in the work. If I could have any wish where obedience is concerned, I would wish to stay with them’ (8 August 1943, 3pp).

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial, mostly from Fr Leonard Sheil SJ, relating to his Mission work throughout Ireland. Includes:

• letters concerning a Retreat given by Fr Sheil in Killorglin, County Kerry, a lecture in Cashel, County Tipperary and Missions in Cobh, County Cork and Harrington Street, Dublin (24 November 1943 - 7 August 1945, 6 items);
• letter from Fr Sheil offering to ‘go to any country where…I would be of use in the service of God, Africa, Australia, China or the Continent.’ Also seeks permission to become the Spiritual Director of the International Catholic Girls’ Protection Society (see also J16/5). ‘Their work (they are some thirty years in existence in Dublin) was chiefly the meeting and protecting of girls travelling, especially to England. Now it includes a registry office of which the object is to find work for girls in Ireland and so obviate the necessity of going to England.…They hope to start a small training hostel for domestics. The Archbishop is very favourable.…I have given their radio broadcast for the past five years, bringing in £100 more or less each year. The work of the Spiritual Director would be to attend the monthly meeting of the Committee…and on these occasions to give what assistance he can as a priest.…In favour of it,…it offers a field of work for youth; and…perhaps no class of youth needs help more than the young country girl, perhaps from a convent orphanage, who comes to Dublin to domestic service…’ (21 Feb. 1946, 3pp);
• letter from Socius Fr John Coyne SJ to the Irish Provincial relating to a report in the 'Irish Press' of a lecture on ‘Friends of Soviet Russia’ given by Fr Sheil to the Ringsend C.Y.M.S. in which Fr Sheil referred to Dáil Éireann members as ‘frightful loafers’. Encloses clipping of report (2 Dec. 1946, 1p.) and letter from Fr Sheil to Fr Coyne explaining the circumstances of the lecture (n.d., 2pp);
• letter from Fr Sheil reporting on a number of young men who wish to join the Society and his activities on a recent visit to the North of Ireland (2 Apr. 1947, 4pp) and
• letter to the Irish Provincial Fr Thomas Byrne SJ from Dr Edward Doorly, Bishop of Elphin stating ‘Father Sheil did not give any offence worth mentioning and further…he gave a splendid Retreat to the priests’ (18 May 1949, 1p.).

Letters to the Irish Provincial on various matters. Includes letters concerning:

• Polish scholastics coming to Ireland to study;
• the censuring individual scholastics;
• financial matters of the late Fr Henry Browne SJ;
• the taking of villas during wartime;
• a report on Irish theologians in Hong Kong;
• the question of censorship of various publications (See also ADMN/3/1 and 23);
• the question of Jesuit support for the Catholic Association for International Relations;
• a proposal by Fr Patrick J Connolly SJ to open a Jesuit school in Dartry;
• the Secret Instruction of the Holy See: Normae Quaedam De Agendi Ratione Confessariorum Circa VI Decalogi Praeceptum;
• the prohibition of female characters in plays produced by scholastics;
• comments on Director’s Service from Sodality reports of summer 1944 (See also ADMN/3/65 and 74);
• the publication of a book entitled Selected Writings of Father Ledochowski (See also ADMN/3/44);
• an invitation to the Irish Fr Provincial to the inauguration of President Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh (see also ADMN/3/43 and 76) in June 1945, signed by Taoiseach Éamon de Valera;
• relations with the Confederación Nacional de Congregaciones Marians;
• the proposal to purchase Crawfordsburn Estate, County Down (see also ADMN/3/6);
• the Chair of Education in University College, Dublin and
• some suggestions about choirs in the Province.

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).

Material on retreats and the retreat house at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin (removed from ledger folder). Includes:

• list of retreatants at Rathfarnham Castle and notice of opening of retreat house (1922);
• Honorary Secretary's Reports (November 1947-March 1949);
• list of house renovations (August 1949-August 1950);
• costings and receipts for work on the retreat house which includes glass, grotto, kneelers, lamp, radiators, roof, statutes and tabernacle (1949-1962);
• ‘History of Our Lady's Grotto, erected by D.U.T. Co. Employees 1925’ by Thomas Scally, ex-Superintendent. Includes references to the Jesuit school, St Francis Xavier, Lower Dorset Street, better known as Father Gaffney's school (1 April 1950);
• income and expenditure for Laymen's Retreat Association (1948-1953);
• newsletter of the Laymen's Retreat Association, Rathfarnham Castle entitled the Week End Echo (vol. 1-5, 7), (Christmas 1953-September 1955);
• handicap sweepstakes results for Laymen's Retreat Association at Rathfarnham Castle (1954-55)
• order of time for retreats for Chinese students at Rathfarnham Castle (4 April 1955);
• correspondence from Michael Scott, Architect, for drawings of the retreat house, Rathfarnham Castle (1955-57);
• income for retreat house at Rathfarnham Castle (1958-59);
• schedule of estimates for proposed decoration at Rathfarnham Castle (1958-1961);
• drawings, correspondence and accounts from James A. Doyle Architect, for works at the retreat house, Rathfarnham Castle (1959-1960);
• newspaper report of ‘Restoration of grotto erected in 1924 by D.U.T.C. men’ from Nuacht CIE (23 October 1964);
• notes on Laymen’s Retreat Association at Rathfarnham Castle, Christian Life Communities (CLC) seminar (21 April 1974);
• Guidelines for the constitution for the Laymen's Retreat Association & Christian Life Communities (CLC) (1977);
• notice of the restoration work done by the Association of Retreat Promotors for the Laymen’s Retreat Association (nd.);
• postcard with order of time on reverse of weekend retreats at Rathfarnham Castle and notice of non-attendance (nd.);

File relating to Retreat promoters and programmes at Rathfarnham Castle, the golden jubilee year of the retreat house (1972) and the Layman’s Retreat Association.

A file relating to the Layman's Retreat Association, Rathfarnham Castle. Includes a description of a weekend retreat held in Rathfarnham by one of the participants, Joseph S. Considine (nd, 5pp).

Note from Dr Patrick Foley, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, to [Fr] Joseph. Requests him to procure the services of a priest to conduct a retreat in the diocese of Kildare at the end of the year. Expresses his preference for a Jesuit priest.

A telegram from Pope Pius XI to Fr Patrick Barrett SJ, Director of Retreats at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, blessing all those making a retreat at Rathfarnham. In Latin.