This series contains property documents including title deeds, legal correspondence and memoranda relating to the acquisition of properties in Kilkenny by the Capuchin friars. For the most part, the documents relate to the present-day Friary building situated on Friary Street (formerly known as Walkin Street). The modern Friary consists of two portions, one running parallel to Friary Street, built about 1873-4; the other is a wing built in 1897, situated at a right angle and extending to the adjoining Pennyfeather Lane. The series also contains documents relating to the novitiate building constructed on the site of the Capuchin Friary in Kilkenny in 1959-60.
Although the association of the Capuchin friars with the Walkin Street (now Friary Street) area of Kilkenny dates to the late seventeenth century, the documents in this section relate primarily to the present-day Church of St. Francis, built by Fr. Peter Joseph Mulligan OSFC (1793-1853) in 1848. The section also contains documents relating to the subsequent extensions to the Friary, most notably in 1897 when a large three-storey building between Walkin Street and Pennyfeather Lane was constructed to provide, among other things, accommodation for novices. The relatively large number of documents relating to the Walkin Street properties has necessitated the creation of a further three sub-sub-series relating to a particular plot of ground, purchase or sale.
Copy will and probate of Joseph Empson, Kilkenny city. He leaves all his property to his wife Margaret for her use and that of their children. The probate was granted on 29 Sept. 1859.
Assignment from Fr. John Laurence O’Flynn OSFC to Fr. James Edward Tommins OSFC, Fr. Daniel Patrick O’Reilly OSFC, Capuchin Convent, Dublin, Fr. Patrick Joseph Columbus Maher OSFC, Capuchin Convent, Kilkenny, and Fr. Edmund Thomas Dillon OSFC, Capuchin Convent, Cork, of the leasehold interest in premises on Walkin Street in consideration of 5s. The lease recites an earlier lease (dated 31 Aug. 1855) from Frances and Grace Blair to Fr. James Lewis O’Reardon [var. Louis O’Riordan] and Fr. John Laurence O’Flynn of the ‘gateway and yard formerly held by Humphrey Semple and the house at present occupied by Thomas Aylward … and the plot of ground in the possession of the said Rev. John Laurence O’Flynn which said demised premises are situate in Walkin Street in the parish of Saint Mary, City of Kilkenny … forever at the yearly rent of £6’. The file also includes a conveyance (19 Aug. 1897) from Beledia Juliana Maher to Fr. Peter Bowe OSFC and others of the said gateway and premises on Walkin Street to hold in fee farm subject to the rents payable. It is noted that Beledia Juliana Maher was the principal heiress-at-law of the estate of the late Fr. Patrick Joseph Columbus Maher OSFC.
This property formed part of the historic Munster Arms’ site (see section 2.1.1.1). It was situated on the north side of Walkin Street approximately two hundred yards from the junction of that street with High Street and immediately opposite the entrance to the Capuchin Friary. The property was bounded to the north by the Regent Cinema (demolished in 1998), to the west by Garden Row, to the south by Friary Street, and to the east by the Friary Street Car Park which was owned by Kilkenny Corporation. By the late twentieth century, the property at 17 Friary Street comprised a three storey nineteenth-century residence, formerly end-of-terrace but afterwards detached. The property had been left vacant for many years. The file relates to the sale of the property by the Capuchin Order to property developers in the late 1990s.
Documents relating to an application to the Charitable Commissioners by the FMC Trust. The documents relate to an application by the Trust for a sale of the trustee’s interest in 17 Friary Street located at the junction of Friary Street and Garden Row with the yard at the rear thereof held by the Capuchin Order under a fee farm grant dated 29 Oct. 1898. The file includes: • Draft and copy application forms. • Copy declarations by Fr. Leo Cullen OFM Cap. in which he states that the said property has been in the possession of the Capuchin Order since at least 1912. 26 July 1996; 2 Dec. 1997. • Copy public notices. • Copy of orders from the Charitable Commissioners. • Copy affidavit of Seamus Brennan, solicitor, Abbey Bridge, Dean Street, Kilkenny. 1 Dec. 1999. • Copy statutory acknowledgment and undertaking of the FMC Trust. • Copy memorandum and articles of association of the FMC Trust.
Copy valuation report for 17 Friary Street, Kilkenny, by Ganly Waters Boyd, 5 William Street, Kilkenny. The report affirms that the vacant property has an open market value of £101,000. With attached copy ordnance survey extract.
Letters from James G. Robertson, 36 Sandford Road, Ranelagh, Dublin, to Fr. Jarlath Hynes OSFC, Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny, mainly regarding tenancy matters in respect of holdings on Walkin Street.
Ledger of monthly income derived from community masses at the Church of St. Francis, Kilkenny. The ledger records the monthly totals in respect of ‘masses received’, ‘masses said for the house’ and ‘masses sent or transferred to the Provincial Minister’.
Register of Novena Masses at the Church of St. Francis, Kilkenny. Entries are listed under name of the individual for whom the mass is to be said (usually deceased or a benefactor) and the amount subscribed.
