Subsérie 137 - Dom Aubert Merten Papers / Kylemore Foundation, County Galway

74 pp; 33 cm x 22 cm; Bound volume; manuscript and typescript

A bound volume containing correspondence, memorandums, and documents relating to the abortive attempt of Dom Aubert Merten OSB to establish a foundation for the Benedictine Fathers at Kylemore in Connemara, County Galway. The file covers the years from 1920 to 1929 (with covering letters dating to 1936). A gilt title on the spine reads ‘Dr. Merten Papers / I’. Dom Aubert came to Ireland in 1915 and was superior of the Edermine house in County Wexford, which Abbot Columba Marmion OSB had established during the war years. After the war, all the Belgian monks returned to Maredsous Abbey, except Dom Aubert. In the end, Dom Aubert failed to get the necessary permission to establish a foundation from the Archbishop of Tuam, in whose diocese Kylemore was situated. Father Aubert also failed to convince any of the Belgian monks of Maredsous to join him. He accompanied the Irish Benedictine nuns (formerly of Ypres) to Kylemore and remained in Ireland as their chaplain. The volume includes letters from Archbishop Thomas Patrick Gilmartin, Dom H. Paul Jaricot OSB, Dom Columba Marmion OSB (copy letters), and the correspondence of Professor Joseph B. Whelehan re the case. A cover letter from Dom Aubert to Fr. Senan Moynihan OFM Cap. expresses his gratitude for his interest in his case (17 July 1936).

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For general information on Dom Aubert Merten’s attempt to establish a foundation for the Benedictine Fathers in Kylemore see https://www.catholicireland.net/the-irish-benedictines-a-history/

For biographical information on Archbishop Thomas Patrick Gilmartin (1861-1939) see https://www.dib.ie/biography/gilmartin-thomas-patrick-a10317

For biographical information on Joseph B. Whelehan (died 29 October 1968) see https://a.osmarks.net/content/wikipedia_en_all_maxi_2020-08/A/Joseph_Whelehan