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To the Rev. Mother of the Sisters of St. Clare, Galway.
Permission to live with relatives and friends
through the miserys of the tymes' In case of necessity
they can eat meat. Signed: Fr. Edmund Delaney, Min.Prov.

TEXT

In 1690, the Minister Provincial, Fr. Eduard Delaney, gave the
following permission to the Poor Clares in Galway:
"To the Reverend Mother and Sisters of St. Clare, Galway"
whereas the Rev. Mothers and Sisters of St. Clares's Order of the
Convent of Galway have made known to me that through the miseries
of the times they are reduced to such extremity that they cannot
subsist together in cloister and thereupon desire my leavs to
disperse among relations and friends, these are therefore to permit
and licence the said religious Mothers and Sisters to dwell with
their said friends and relations where they may be better provided
for, hereby charginq them their consciences to live mere as near
their Rule and Constitutions as they conveniently can, and also
declaring that in case of necessity they may eat meat.
Given under my hand and seal, 25th August, 1690
Fr. Edmund Delaney
Minister Provincial.

Letter from Fr.Anthony O'Kelly, Min.Prov. to the beloved Sisters in Christ (same content as above letter,1698) "all nuns without exception are to be exiled to foreign lands."

The letter carries no date.
Fr. Anthony o Kelly was elected Provincial in Dublin on
25 July 1697 and went out of office at the Chapter in Louvain on 17 october 1700.
Nunneries were suppressed by a law which took force on 1 May 1698. The letter therefore
must date from early 1698.

TEXT

Fr. Antonius O Kelly Ord. Min. Strictioris Obs. S.T.Lr. nec non Almae Provinciae Hyberniae
Mnr Proalis et servus Dilectis in Christo Sororibus.
Quandoquidem in Generalibus Comitiis huius Regni, late lege sancita sit, Moniales citra
exceptionem omnes, ante proximas Calend. Maijas a regno isto, in exteras exulandas Regio-
nes, sub gravissimis poenis his, et confiscatione omnium bonorum sustentationibus harum
post praefatam diem, si vel intra sua tecta, eas, vel extra quoquomodo sustentaverint et
manutenuerint. Hinc vobis facultatem impertimur, quatenus la oblata transfretandi oppor-
tunitate ad regionem aliquam catholic vos conferatis, commendatae Superioribus Provinci a-
libus nostri Ordinis, et Abbatissis Monasteriorum, ad quae divertitis, et de loco residen-
tiae, ubi Deo et Ordini vestro famulari valeatis, charitative providere dignentur. Omnibus
interim Christifidelibus, ad quos hospites divertitits, tanquam pauperes exules charius
in Dno commendamus.
Dat. in loco nri refugii hac die
De Mandato Rev. Adm. Plis Sup
fr. Patricius Fahy S.T.L.
et Prov. Secretarius.

Fr. Anthony O Kelly, of the Order of Friars Minor of Stricter Observance, ST.L. and
Minister Provincial of the beloved Province of Ireland and servant. To the beloved Sisters
in Christ.
Since it has been passed by law in the General Parliament of this kingdom that all nuns
without exception are to be exiled to foreign lands from this kingdom, before the beginning
of next May, under these very grave penalties, and with the confiscation of all goods
if anyone should within their houses or outside in any way maintain and uphold them (the
nuns) by sustenance after the aforesaid, day. Hence we grant you the faculty of betaking
yourselves at the first opportunity/to some Catholic land, being commended to the Pro-
vincial Superiors of our order and the Abbesses of Monasteries to which you go, that they
may deign to charitably provide for you concerning a place of residence, where you may be
able to serve Cod and your order. Meanwhile, we commend you dearly in the Lord as poor
exiles to ali the faithful to whom you go as guests.
Given in our place of refuge on this day
By mandate of Very Rev. Provincial Superior/Fr. Anthony o kelly
fr. Patrick Fahy S.T.L.
and Secretary of the Province

Letter from Fr. Anthony O'Kelly, Minister Provincial,to Mother Mary Gabriel Skerrett, Abbess of the Poor Clares of Galway giving the faculty of "betaking yourselves to some catholic region."

TEXT

Fr. Antonius O Relly Ord. Min. Strictioris Observantiae S.T.L. necnon Almae Pro-
vinciae Hyberniae Minister Provincialis et servus, Revdae Dominae Mariae Cabrieli
Skerrett Pauperum Clarissarum Galviensium Abbatissae eiusque Monialibus professis
et Novitiis, Salutem.
Quandoquidem permittente supremo Numine huic praesenti Gubernio visum fuerit expedire
omnes Moniales e regno isto ante proximas Calendas Mayas in exilium religare sub gra-
vissimis paenis tum his tum harum
ubs tentationibus
agtE quibus omnium bonorum jactura et con-
fiscatio decreta et sancita est, si vel intra vel extra domus suas eas manutenuerint.
Hinc est quod vobis literas nostras obedientiales concedamus, facultatem impertientes,
quatenus Ia oblata transfretandi opportunitate, ad regionem aliquam catholicam vos
conferatis, commendatae Reverendis Admodum Patribus Ministris Provincialibus istarum
respective Provinciarum ad quas perveneritis, et Abbatissis Monasteriorum ad quae
diverteritis, ut vobis de loco residentiae, ubi Deo et Ordini vestro famulari valeatis
charitative providere dignentur.Omnibus interim christifidelibus, sive de populo
sive de Claro, ad quos diverteritis, tanquam pauperes et exules filias charius in
Domino commendamus. Dat. in loco nostri refugii hac die
fr. Antonius O Kel ly
Mr Proalis
De mandato
R. adm. Plis Sup.
Fr. Patricius Fahy S.T.L.
et Provinciae secretarius

Fr. Anthony O Kelly of the Order of Friars Minor of Stricter Observance, S.T.L. and
Minister Provincial of the beloved Province of Ireland and Servant, to the Rev. lady
Mary Gabriel Skerrett, abbess of the Poor Clares of Galway and to her professed
nuns and novices, greetings.
Since, by permission of the most high God, the present Government has judged it ex-
pedient to send into exile from this kingdom all nuns, before the next Calends of May,
under gravest penalties bothnon them and on those who support them, whereby the l0SS
and confiscation of all goods has been decreed and sanctioned, if they maintain them
either within or outside their houses. Hence we grant you our letters of obedience,
imparting the faculty of betaking yourselves to some catholic region, on the first
available opportunity of travellinq, commending you to the Very Reverend Father Min-
isters Provincial of these respective Provinces which you reach, and to the Abbesses
of the Monasteries which you turn to, so that they may charitably provide for a place
of residence for you, where you may be able to serve God and your Order. Meanwhile
we commend you to all the faithful, vhether lay folk or cleroy, to whom you turn,
as poor exiled daughters, lovingly in the Lord.
Given in our place of refuge this day
Fr. Anthony o xel ly
Minister Provincial
By mandate of
Very Rev. Paovincial Superior
Fr. Patrick Fahy, S.T.L.
and Secretary of the Province

Bethlehem: Licence to found in Galway.
Fr. Antonius Geoghan, Minister Provincial.

TEXT

Fr. Anthony Geoghegan, Minister Provincial of the Province of Ireland of the Order of Friars Minor of Stricter Observance, to our venerable Mother in Christ Mary Gabriel otherwise Martin, professed nun of the Order of St Clare and Abbess elect for the convent to be erected of the Poor Clares in Galway, and to the other sisters, namely Clare Anthony, Margaret Francis, Catharine Bernard, Mary Bonaventure, Catharine Francis, Catharine Thomas, Catharine Michael, Helen Louis, Catharine Chrysostom, Lucy Clare, Mary Andrew. To the Novices also, Sabina Byrne and Mary Kelly, everlasting greetings in the Lord, etc.

Since on the part of our many special friends and benefactors, it has often and earnestly been proposed to us and humbly to you, view of the disturbance of these times, we should grant you permission to go to Galway, and there initiate and erect a convent, in the first place for God’s glory and your welfare and consolation, and the propagation of your Order and the sanctification of neighbours. Having considered these matters maturely from every angle, yielding to their devout wishes, by tenor of these present letters we grant and bless the said permission to you. Commanding you in virtue of the obedience you bequeath yourselves at the first opportunity, proceeding obediently and religiously, to the edification of all who meet you, so that in what we praise in his handiwork, and may most mercifully grant you the grace of the God who inspired you, to whom we propose you may efficaciously recommend us, and all of us in your holy prayers.

Given at Bethlehem on the thirtieth day of January 1642.

Fr. Anthony McGeoghegan
Minister Provincial

fr. Antonius Geogheganus Ordinis Minorum strictioris observantiae Provinciae Hiberniae Minister Provincialis venerandae nobis in Christo Matri Mariae Gabriellis alias Martin, moniali professae Ordinis reformat. Sanctae Clarae nec non Abbatissae electae pro Conventu Clarissarum Galviae erigendo et ceteris sororibus, viz. Clarae Antoniae, Margaritae Francisci, Catharinae Bernardi, Mariae Bonaventurae, Catharinae Francisci, Catharinae Thomae, Catharinae Michaelis, Everlinae Ludovici, Catharinae Chrysostomi, Luciaae Clarae, Mariae Andreae. Novitiis vero Sabinae Byrne, et Mariae Kelly, eas concomitantibus salutem in Domino sempiternam, etc.

Cum ex parte multorum (?) specialium nostrorum et benefactorum saepius et sedulo nobis propositum fuit, et tuo semel iterumque, tum ob vexationem habitatualium (?) huius urbis Galviae, tum pro supplicum quatum quietem, ibidem a Dei in primis gloriam, vestrorum aedificationem, consolationem, Ordinis vestri et sanctae Clarae propagationem conventus aedificatione, conventum inchoandi et erigendi. Ea mature ex intimis votis annuentes, tenore praesentium dictam licentiam concedimus et benedicimus. Quod nostra benedictio una cum omnibus quibus obviam fueritis aedificatione, ut Deus lucidae in ancillis suis, et suam largam benedictionem vobis clementissime impertiatur, ut quod fideliter intentis efficaciter obtineamus ipsius gratia(i?) sumus per vos nobis orate. Datum Bethlem die trigesimo Januarii 1642.

Antonius (?)
fr. Antonius Geogheganus
Minister Provincialis

Letter to Mother Elizabeth Skeret, Mother Abbess of our
Galway Convent, giving permission to admit to the habit
of probation three well-born girls, by name Cecilia
Kirwan...Signed: Fr. Anthony De Burgo, Minister Provincial
Rosserilly.

TEXT

Hisce licentiam concedo Venerabili sorori Elizabethae Skeret Matri Abbatissae Conventus
nostri Galviensis S. Clarae, quatenus tres nobiles puellas a Deo inspiratas, nominatim
vero Ceciliam Kirwan, ad habitum probationis sui Ordinis, ac strictam clausuram suae
religiosae Domus admittere queat cum sedula assistentia Reverendi Patris Guardiani nostri
ibidem Conventus, qui huic pio operi assistere tenetur. Datum Rossrielo 28 Junii 87.
fr. Antonius de Burgo
Minister Provincialis

By these letters I grant permission to the Venerable Sister Elizabeth Skeret, Mother
Abbess of our Galway Convent of St. Clare, to admit to the habit of probation of her
order and strict enclosure of her religious house, three well-born girls, by name Cecilia
Kirwan, with the diligent assistance of the Reverend Father Guardian of our Convent in
that place, who is obliged to assist at this pious work. Given at Rosserilly 28
June (16) 87.
Fr. Anthony de Burgo
Minister Provincial

Document in connection with the dowries of Elliza and
Elizabeath Skerrett, daughters of Edmond Skerrett of
Aughrim in ye county of Galway.

TEXT

To all Cristian people to whome this present writing shall come Eliza Skerrett and Elizabeth Skerrett daughters of Edmond Skerrett of Aghrin in ye Countie of Galway —

Whereas ye said Edmond Skerrett by deed conveys severall lands to certain persons in the said deed expressed (1) to the use of the said Eliza and Elizabeth for raising of certaine somme of money for their respective portions as by ye said deed bearing date the 16th of September 1635 may appeare and whereas ye said Edmond jointly with his son Dominick Skerrett past (?) but bond of £200 to Sir Valentine Blake knight and baron and to Richard Martine &c. deceased (?), conditions for payment of £300 for ye livelihod and maintenance of ye said Eliza and Elizabeth, as by said bond bearing date ye 15 day of August 1644 may appeare, which bond being past in satisfaction of the said uses, and aforesaid summe of money as limited by ye said deed for their portions, as in the said bond was past and perfected (?) by ye said Edmond and Don:, in full satisfaction of ye benefit which the said Eliza and Elizabeth might have, or claime to have by vertue of ye said conveyance, and of their being therein limited, and of the said uses therefore doe cleerly acquit release and discharge the said Edmond and Don: their heires and assignes (?) and doe hereby grant unto ye said Edmond Don: and to theire heires all the benefitt which they have or ought to have, for or by reason of ye said conveyancy or any other estate or will by their said father past made (?) are foreseett, perfected.

Copia vera
Being present
John Skerrett
Gregory Lynch
Edmond Skerrett

Roger O Berne
my marke X

Letter from the Provincial, Fr. Antony Geoghan to Mother
Gabriel [Martin] about receiving the two daughters of
Edmond Skerritt -discussing their portions.

Letter to Mother Mary Gabriel "Instituted you Praeses after yr tyme". Signed: Fr. Ant.O'Kelly, Minister Provincial Louvain.

TEXT

J. M. F.
Louvaine July ye 12th 99
Dearly beloved Sister
I had yrs of the 5th of may before me here, with yr unckle (?) Martin, for I was out
of towne for six weeks, wherein I find you did not receive myne then, but I hope you
received it ere now, for I directed it to my --- (?) Ambrose Ruisse. I instituted you
then Praeses after yr tyme, as I doe now by these presents, and doe desire, nay doe
command by vertue of wholsome obedience, if necessary, that none, subject to us, shal-
presume to give you ye least contradiction in this our will, and if any may attempt
the contrary she, or they, may repent, and this very soone. My cordial respect and
blessing to all that dr (- dear) family, and I desire the continuance of theire holy
prayers. My cordial wishes alsoe to dr (-dear) Mr Jerome and dr (-dear) Mr Skerrett
with the rest of theire bretheren, not forgetting my dr (- dear) Mr Philippin with the
rest of his family. I hope those who were yr friends and kinde to you, whether protes-
tants or Roman Catholicks, shall not repent it, of this you may be sure, and soone too
My cordial wishes alsoe to all frends both in towne and Country. I hope to see them
once more, interim yr unckle is very well and salutes you all, as doth alsoe, kissing
you all with this seraul most tenderly.
Sr. and R. Mother.
Yrs sincerely,
Fr. Ant. O Kel ly
Mr Proall
P.S. Bonny is with me here now and salutes you all most kindely, as doth the rest of
frends that came with me, who are all well.
LETTER ADDRESSED TO:
To
Mrs. Mary Gabriel neere Mr. Ambrose Ruisse ye Apothecary's house
in Galway, or in her absence to Mr. Jerome Martin in ye same lodging
iin Ireland 8c.
Shepe St
Galway.
par Londre

Letter to Mother Elizabeth Skerett, Mother Abbess, giving the faculty to admit to the habit of probation ...two well-born girls-Lota or Lethissa De Burgo.
Signed: Fr. James Darcy, Minister Provincial

TEXT

Hisce facultatem facimus Venerabili sorori Elizabethae Skerett Matri Abbitissae Con-
ventus nostri Galviensis S. Clarae quatenus duas nobiles Puellas a Deo inspiratas,
nominatim vero Lotam seu Lethissam de Burgo ad habitum probationis sui Ordinis ac
strictam clausuram suae religiosae domus admittat, privatim tamen et sine ulla magna
solemnitatè Cquod Discretorium praefatae Matris Abbatissae ac di ligenti cura Admodum
Reverendi Patris Guardiani Quinn, qui huic pio operi assistere tenebitur serio et
senixe commendo. Datum in loco nostri refugii, hac die 26 Martii '84.
Fr. Jacobus Darcy
Minister Provincialis

By these letters we grant the faculty to the Venerable Sister Elizabeth Skerett. Mother
Abbess of our Galway Convent of St. Clare, to admit to the habit of probation of her
Order and strict cloister of her religious house, two well-born girls, namely Lota or
Lethissa de Burgo, privately however and without any great solemnity, which I seriously
and earnestly commend to the Discretorium of the aforesaid Mother Abbess and the dili-
gent care of the Very Reverend Father Guardian (of) Quin, who will be obliged to assist
at this pious work. Given in our place of refuge, this day 26 March (16) 84.
fr. James Darcy
Minister Provincial

An agreement between the Sisters in Galway and those founding in Lough Riagh[Loughrea]. The sisters signatures are overleaf -9. (note Mother Bonaventure's)
Signed by Fr. George Dillon and Fr. Antonius De Burgo.
No date on document but during M. Bonaventure's term of
office (1647-1650) cf. Mother Teresa Tierney's Chronicle
page 17 "within six years after they sprang up..."

TEXT

The Rd fathers father George Dillon of Galway and father Antony Booke confessor of the Poore Clares of the convent of Galway having bin by the Rd father Provinciall by full Power and Authority designed, to compound and settle all matters betwixt the community of Galway and their Deere Srs now intended for a new erection in Lough Righ, have by mutual consent of both approved their agreements being as followeth.

First that the whole stock and state of the house being examined and declared as it stands at present and that the security and writings of the portions of each of the sisters intended to quittence is delivered unto the Rd father Antony Booke confessor of the sayd convent.

Item. that the Porcions of such as came from Bethlem should stand even as they came from thence and the Porcions of such as made their Profession in Galway should be as it was given without any devision either upon those whose stayes or those that is for the new erection.

Item: that they also made an equall Devision of vestments and all other valuable goods; and each community be responsible for the debt appearing, being incurred in common and for the servis of the community. this is acknowledged and confessed by

             fr. Geo. Dillon
             fr. Antonius de Burgo

OVERLEAF

Str Mary Bonaventure                        Str Margrett Franc:
unworthy Abb of Galway                       Str Clare Antony
Str Cate Francis                           Str Mary Andrew
Str Mary Gabriel
Str Catherine Bernard
Str Catherine Michaell
Str Hellen Lodowicke