Letter from Stephen J. Brown, S.J., to Dr. O’Donnell a asking for a meeting with the Archbishop.

Typed draft of an article/speech titled ‘The Writer’ by Peadar O’Donnell. Would come near defining a writer when they reveal people “behaving and misbehaving towards one another.” The writer needs freedom and in Ireland he enjoys less than any other country. Irish writers are shut in and silenced by their job and “conditioned to bark if they want to prosper as emigrants to America.” Perhaps Ireland’s greatest cultural crime has been her waste of the poet Patrick Kavanagh.

Fr. O’Donnell has been approached by Fr. Lynam from Wolverhampton for permission to say Mass for his scout troop at Larchill. Granted.

Letter from +O’Donnell to +McQuaid thanking him for his offer in relation to the pilgrims. He states Mgr. Carlton has returned home and was delighted with the welcome he received in Ireland. He also mentions the impasse re the appointment of an Australian ambassador to Ireland. 1 item

O’Donnell, B., Hilldrop Road, London, N.7, complaining at the way Irish girls in England treat Irishmen, class distinction and snobbery in Ireland ‘where there is nothing but sanctimonous hypocrites and snobs.’

May, 1942 Copy of a letter from Peadar O’Donnell to four students – Bernard Byrne, John Gallagher, Isaac Logue and Charles McGeady, St. Patrick’s T.C. - inviting them to meet him for a chat in response to their letter to him. O’Donnell is toying with the idea of planting them into the migratory workers’ bothies in Scotland. Their idea of going to a turf camp is equally good.

Press Statement. Conference supported by large number of representative public figures in Western Europe and by distinguished artists and writers, including Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, Brendan Behan, Michael MacLiamoir, Peadar O’Donnell. Cost of Conference will be met by proceeds from an auction of works of art. Picasso has given a still life valued at £5,000 and Henry Moore a bronze reclining nude valued at £1,000.

Typed copy of a report from Superintendent G.V Convery to headquarters, marked ‘secret’, regarding a letter found in a public house in Robertstown, Co. Kildare. The letter was written by Peadar O’Donnell to four students. The report explains how the letter came into the possession of the Gardaí. Garda inquiries give some details on the students.

May. 3/ 36/8. 20 May 1957 Typed letter to Fr. C. Mangan, Archbishop’s House, from Fr. C. Barrett, Director, C.S.W.B., saying he met Mr. F. O’Broin who was unable to give any clear picture as to how they hoped to achieve their aims. James Meenan and Peadar O’Donnell are to act as ‘economic advisors’. The Movement has no funds. Fr. Barrett cannot see how any useful purpose can be served by sending a representative. 3/ 36/9. 20 May 1957 Telephone message from Fr. MacMahon saying O’Broin received the impression from Fr. Barrett that the Archbishop will not be represented at the meeting and is upset. 3/ 36/10. Draft letter, in +McQuaid’s handwriting, thanking Mr. O’Broin for his invitation, but the Archbishop does not consider it advisable at this stage to send a representative. 3/ 36/11. 21 May 1957 Copy of typed letter to Mr. O’Broin from Fr. J.A. MacMahon. While His Grace favours any proper measures to stem undue emigration, he does not consider it advisable at this stage to send a representative. 3/ 36/12. 21 May 1957 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Fr. J.A. MacMahon outlining the communications with Mr. Felim O’Broin, Chairman of the Anti-Emigration Movement of Ireland. Mr. O’Broin telephoned to say he was upset as a result of his interview with Fr. Barrett and asked for an interview with the Archbishop. Told Fr. Barrett’s report had not yet come in. A full report of the conversation attached. 3/ 36/13. 22 May 1957 Typed note regarding a telephone conversation between Mr. O’Broin and Fr. MacMahon. Asked how, if asked at the Meeting, he should explain that the Archbishop had sent no representative. 3/ 36/14. 22 May 1957 Note by Fr. MacMahon saying that Mr. O’Broin called to Archbishop’s House asking advisability of inviting Fr. Barrett to the Meeting in a private capacity. Fr. MacMahon thought not. 3/ 36/15. 9 July 1957 Mr. O’Broin called to Archbishop’s House to give an interim verbal report. Wished to speak to +McQuaid, who was away on retreat. The impression Fr. MacMahon received was that Mr. O’Broin was under an intolerable nervous and physical strain. 3/ 33/16. 16 July 1957 Handwritten telephone message from Fr. James A. MacMahon. Mr. O’Broin telephoned to say that his movement would examine the question of education. They had some trouble with the Unemployed Association. 3/ 36/17. 12 November 1957 Typed note to +McQuaid informing him of posters in the city announcing a public meeting of the National Anti-Emigration Movement of Ireland. 1 item 3/ 36/18 (1). 22 May 1958 Handwritten letter to +McQuaid saying that Mr. O’Broin called to Archbishop’s House to speak of a meeting of public bodies that he has arranged to consider Emigration and Unemployment. It seems to him that Mr. O’Broin is acting prematurely in calling public meetings. Neither he nor his Committee are well educated in Catholic Social Teaching, so they would be better off refraining from calling public meetings. 3/ 36/18 (2). Typed letter from F. O’Broin, President, National Anti-Emigration Movement of Ireland, inviting people to attend a meeting in Jury’s Hotel on 29 May 1958. 1 item 3/ 36/19. 28 May 1958 Copy of typed letter to Mr. O’Broin, National Anti- Emigration Movement of Ireland, from the Secretary. Further to his request that a priest attend the meeting on the 29 May he is asked to say that it is not considered advisable. 3/ 36/20. 16 September 1958 Typed memo. Mr. O’Broin of the Irish National Anti-Emigration Movement phoned to inform +McQuaid of a meeting held in the Matt Talbot Hall for the purpose of encouraging emigration to South Africa. It emerged that Communism is infiltrating into Government circles there, there is difficulty in getting Catholic schooling and that only highly skilled workers were sure of employment. Clann na Saoirse

6-8 January 1943 Letter from Fr. J. O’Donnell to +McQuaid regarding school meals.