• 28 October Notices of meetings of Hierarchy with some minutes. Includes information on the Health Act 1953, the Department of Philosophy, Dublin, new programme in catechism for primary schools, closure of dance halls at midnight, insurance policies for schools, Adoption Act 1952, banned literature, emigrant Irish girls in England, the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Catholic Women’s League, Catholic Information Bureau and the Catholic Boy Scouts. Finances of Maynooth College and applications for faculty positions discussed. 1954

aid towards the Christmas Fund. 1 item Emergency Housing Association 3/4/A/1. 23 June 1948 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Dermot O’Kelly, Hon. Sec., Emergency Housing Association. This newly formed Association, whose Chairman is M. Fitzpatrick T.D., plan to organise support for an Emergency House plan to be sponsored and financed by the Government. Plans have been prepared for a three roomed bungalow which could be mass produced at a cost of £550 per bungalow. He asked the Archbishop for a letter of support which would be read at a public meeting in the Mansion House. 1 item 3/4/ A/2. 2 July 1948 Handwritten draft reply, from Michael P. O’Connell, stating that +McQuaid bids him to say it is unusual to give such a letter to any particular group. Were such a letter given it would be superfluous. The attitude and the unremitting work of the Archbishop concerning housing for the poor is unmistakably clear to all the civil authorities. The Women’s Social and Progressive League 3/ 5. 3 December 1946 Typed letter to +McQuaid (circulated to 13 persons) from Sheila Mulcahy and Rosamund Jacob, The Women’s Social and Progressive League, “for information and support.” The Committee is suggesting that a woman be appointed Minister of Social Services. 3/ 6/1. 5 February 1948 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Rosamond Jacob, Hon. Sec., The Women’s Social and Progressive League, drawing his attention to the enclosed pronouncements of His Holiness the Pope. 3/ 6/2 Leaflet entitled “Hear the Pope on Women in Politics”. Legal Adoption Society (Eire) 3/ 7/1. 15 May 1948 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Hubert M. James, Chairman, Legal Adoption Society (Eire) requesting a meeting for a small deputation of the Committee. The Society aims to introduce into the Constitution an Act legalising the adoption of children and revise Birth Certificates so as to remove the stigma of children of doubtful parentage. 3/7/ 2. 20 March 1948 Handwritten draft letter signed by Michael P. Connell inquiring of the precise purpose of the interview and the nature of the communication to be made. Irish Countrywomen’s Association 3/ 8. 19 September 1944 Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from Mrs Olive Rowe, Acting Secretary, Irish Countrywomen’s Association, regarding the time for a meeting with two members of their Executive, Miss O’Connell and Mrs McNeill. 3/ 9/1 5 June 1948 Typed letter to Rev. Fr. Glennon from Josephine McNeill, Chairman of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association. Due to her commitments in Cork and Waterford she would like her interview with +McQuaid – should he grant one – in the next few days. 3/ 9/2 5 June 1948 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Josephine McNeill seeking the favour of an interview. She has been approached by Major Ruzicka, Czechoslovak Minister to Eire, to help him enlist Irish aid, especially Irish Catholic aid, for the Czechoslovak refugees who have fled the Communist regime, 80% of whom are Catholic and living in the US zone. 3/ 9/3 9 June 1948 Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from Josephine McNeill thanking him for his letter. She had hoped to meet him. Now that the Czech terror is in full swing the number of refugees was mounting. Even a small gesture of Christian brotherhood might have a value greater than its material bulk. The Assertion of Rights Movement 3/ 10/1. 21 June 1947 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Vincent Collins, Secretary, The Assertion of Rights Movement. The Movement, composed of a small number of Catholic men, studies social problems in the light of Catholic teaching. Seeks interview with +McQuaid to have his guidance. 3/10/ 2. Memorandum of the Assertion of Rights Movement. 3/10/ 3. The Constitution of the Assertion of Rights Movement. 3/10/ 4. June 1947 Copy of letter to +McQuaid from Vincent Collins (6/1). 3/10/ 5 Copy of the Memorandum of the Assertion of Rights Movement. Irish Emigrants’ Resettlement Organisation 3/ 11. 10 April 1947 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Sean O Cuimon, Secretary, Irish Emigrants’ Resettlement Organisation, inviting him to speak at their first public meeting to be held in the Mansion House on the subject of Emigration. Lower Prices Council 3/ 12. 3 March 1947 Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from M.H. Tweedy, Secretary, Lower Prices Council, saying it would be a great help to them if they could say, when asking for a hall, that the Archbishop had no objection to them having the use of schools and parochial halls for their meetings. Joint Committee of Women’s Societies and Social Workers 3/ 13/1. 28 November 1947 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Mrs W.R. O’Hegarty, Joint Hon. Sec., Joint Committee of Women’s Societies and Social Workers. The Committee has been working on the matter of Legal Adoption and now have definite proposals which they would like to discuss with the Archbishop. 3/ 13/ 2. List of member societies.

Letter from Mary Banon, Ranelagh, to the Archbishop’s Secretary asking if anything can be done to prevent cinemas, dance halls and theatres from re-opening after Holy Week as Passiontide will not end until midnight on Saturday next.

Farrell, Alfred, Savage Club, Carlton House Terrace, London. He plans to present the morality play, Everyman, in church halls and schools throughout Ireland. Seeks the Archbishop’s patronage.

Typed report of the Vigilance Committee meeting held at 14, Gardiner Place. The following items are mentioned in the report: Fr. MacMahon explained the idea of forming a Guild for journalists modelled on the Guild of St. Francis de Sales in England. He advised that a different name be used instead of ‘guild’ as this is already used by a trade union. Have representatives from all newspapers. He thought it best to have journalists petition + McQuaid for permission to set up an association clarifying specific objects in advance. Fr. Fehily read a letter from the editor of The Standard who is interested in promoting the interests of the Church and co-operating with + McQuaid. He felt handicapped at times by not having somebody to seek guidance from with certain problems. Letter was read from Basil Clancy regarding the celebration of May Day in a Catholic way. Leo Crawford said there could be no question of any celebration at present as it would be provocative. Report from Mr. Gallagher stated that there are two halls where undesirable dancing was held, the Ballerina on the North side and Palm Court on the South side. Committee agreed it was good to keep them localised and not spread all over the city. The Corporation’s regulations governing such dances were to be checked.

Handwritten statement, marked ‘secret’, dealing with the methodology which should be used by the ‘V’ Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to counter subversives who may attack the doctrine or influence of the Church. In Dublin the chief subversive movements are anti-clerical liberalism. Communism seeks to overthrow the social system by revolution. Six steps for action are outlined. The following are some of the activities which have come to notice since May 1954: The Peoples’ College, Irish Housewives Association, the influence of Michael O’Riordan in his trade-union, Dublin dance-halls and immoral dances, The Unemployed Self-Help Association. The Guild of St. Francis de Sales for journalists, Bamba books, the IRA, information on leading Communists, Irish Workers’ League, National Co-operative Council, Radio-Telefis Eireann, the College of Scientology, the Anti-Nuclear Movement, Desmond Brannigan, Czechs in Dublin motor business, Formation of ICTU. It must be understood that this is the only agency for anti- subversive action and must forage for itself. Six suggested remedies given.

Signed Victim, Garristown, Co. Dublin. Objects to the endless stream of dances held in halls controlled by priests.

-3 March 1965 Malone, John A., Leahy Terrace, Sandymount. General moral standards have been lowered. Proprietors of dance halls should be asked to put decent music on.

Handwritten minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following are mentioned in the report: the play, ‘Maria Goretti’, was performed in schools and parochial halls by the Daniels’ family from Leixlip, Co. Kildare. The Committee feel that it should have been submitted to the ecclesiastical authorities for approval. The membership of the Catholic Guild of Journalists is not good. The National Union of Journalists and the Guild of Irish Journalists are the other associations. There is a strong and effective need for a Catholic Guild. It suggests that an assistant chaplain to Fr. Thomas Murphy is needed and recommends Fr. Austin Flannery, O. P. Mgr. O’Halloran will discuss the matter with Fr. Murphy.