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The subseries comprises a small collection of papers relating to the Irish writer and translator Tadhg Ó Murchadha, who was known by the pseudonym ‘Seandún’.

Ó Murchadha was born in Macroom in County Cork in September 1843. He was baptized on 4 September 1843. His native language was Irish. Before the famine, most of the population of Macroom were Irish speakers. He trained as a tailor and moved to Cork in 1864 where he spent the rest of his life. He learned to read and write Irish and encountered many of those involved in the Irish revival movement. In 1885 he met Donnchadh Pléimionn (1867-1900), a noted Gaelic author and journalist, and it seems that Ó Murchadha’s interest in language matters began in earnest around this time. He was a founder member of the Cork branch of Gaelic League in 1894. Ó Murchadha had a fine appreciation of the flexibility of the Irish language and in his writing, he sought after accuracy and polish and achieved a style that was natural and free from self-consciousness. He emerged as a pioneer in Irish translation at the beginning of the Gaelic revival. His earliest attempt at writing was a translation of Robert Emmet’s ‘Speech from the dock’, and he went on to translate, under the title ‘Toradh na Gaedhilge ar aitheasc agus ar ghréithribh na nGaedhael’ (1905), William O’Brien’s ‘The influence of the Irish language on Irish national literature and character’. Ó Murchadha remains best known for his translations although he did contribute articles to the ‘Cork Weekly Examiner’ and the ‘Gaelic Journal’. He wrote an account of the life of Donnchadh Pléimionn which appeared in the ‘Weekly Examiner’ on 13 September 1900.

He compiled an Irish translation of Daniel Dafoe’s ‘Robinson Crusoe’ under the title ‘Eachtra Robinson Crúsó’ which was published by the Gaelic League in 1909. Tadhg Ó Donnchadha (‘Torna’) (1874-1949), later Professor of Irish in University College Cork, remarked that Ó Murchadha’s ‘Robinson Crusoe’ was the best translation he had ever read. About 1912, when his sight was beginning to fail, Ó Murchadha began to dictate an autobiographical account of his life, which was transcribed by friends and admirers among them Diarmuid Ó Murchadha and Toirdhealbhach Mac Suibhne (Terence MacSwiney), who during the War of Independence prepared a section of it dealing with the years of the Fenian rising for publication in book form under the title ‘Sgéal “Sheandúin”’ (1920). However, Ó Murchadha never saw it in print as he died in Cork on 13 April 1919. The second part of Ó Murchadha’s recollections was edited and published by Br. Senan Moynihan OFM Cap. in the Irish Capuchin periodical ‘The Father Mathew Record’ (July 1924-August 1925). The articles again appeared under the title ‘Sgéal “Sheandúin”’.

Much of the material listed here is associated with Moynihan’s publication of the second part of Ó Murchadha’s memoir. The file includes original material from several associates and admirers of Ó Murchadha including Tadhg Ó Donnchadha (‘Torna’), Terence MacSwiney, and Douglas Hyde. The collection also includes correspondence from Fr. Laurence Dowling OFM Cap. (the editor of ‘The Father Mathew Record’), Máire Nic Shuibhne (Mary MacSwiney), Diarmuid Ó Murchadha, Fr. Augustine Hayden OFM Cap., and Shan Ó Cuiv. Some letters from Frank Ryan, the well-known Irish socialist and republican activist, are also extant in the collection. Ryan seemingly assisted Moynihan in preparing Ó Murchadha’s memoir for publication. The collection also includes Moynihan’s manuscript drafts of ‘Sgéal “Sheandúin”’ along with a copy of Ó Murchadha translation of Robert Emmet’s ‘Speech from the dock’ written by Terence MacSwiney.

The subseries comprises a small collection of papers relating to Aodh de Blacam, an author, journalist, editor, and politician. Aodh de Blacam (Harold Saunders Blackham) was born in London on 11 December 1891. He was born into a prominent Newry Protestant family but later rebelled against his upbringing, converted to Catholicism, and became involved with the Gaelic League in the English capital. In 1914 he moved to Ireland and emerged as a leading propagandist for the nationalist movement. Around this time, he also Gaelicised his name to Aodh Sandrach de Blacam and learned the Irish language. During the War of Independence, he worked as a propagandist for Arthur Griffith and was appointed editor of ‘Young Ireland’, a Sinn Féin newspaper which sought to encourage nationalistic sentiments in Irish children and young adults. He remained remarkably prolific in his journalistic and literary output throughout his life and produced two major two major political manifestos during the revolution: ‘Towards the Republic’ (1918) and ‘What Sinn Féin Stands For’ (1921).

De Blacam opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty and subsequently sided with the anti-Treaty IRA during the Civil War. He was interned by the Free State authorities in 1922. Following his release, de Blacam strongly identified with the political ideals of Éamon de Valera and Fianna Fáil. He continued his journalist career, serving as a book editor for the ‘Irish Times’ and regularly contributing articles to the ‘Irish Press’ and other newspapers and literary journals. De Blacam also wrote extensively for several Catholic periodicals such as ‘The Standard’ and the ‘Irish Rosary. The first edition of ‘The Capuchin Annual’ in 1930 carried two articles by de Blacam who forged a long-lasting friendship with Fr. Senan Moynihan OFM Cap., the founding editor of the periodical. Moynihan was clearly an admirer of de Blacam’s writing and published several of his articles in various Capuchin publications. De Blacam’s major published books included ‘Gaelic literature surveyed’ (1929) and ‘The Black North’ (1938). He died in Dublin on 13 January 1951. His funeral was attended by many notable political figures including Taoiseach John A. Costello and his predecessor Éamon de Valera. He was buried in New Mellifont Abbey in County Louth. De Blacam’s final article, an account of the closing ceremonies of the Holy Year celebrations in Rome, was published posthumously in ‘The Capuchin Annual’ (1950-1).

The material listed here was assembled by Fr. Senan Moynihan OFM Cap. following de Blacam’s death. The subseries includes drafts of de Blacam’s final articles for ‘The Capuchin Annual’ along with biographies, obituaries, tribute articles, correspondence, photographs, and ephemera.

The subseries comprises a small collection of papers relating to Fr. Michael P. O’Hickey (An tAthair Micheál P. Ó hIceadha), an Irish priest, academic, and Irish language campaigner.

O’Hickey was born in Carrickbeg near Carrick-on-Suir in County Waterford on 12 March 1861. Both his parents knew Irish as did most of the adult population of Carrickbeg, but by the time of his birth Irish was receding rapidly in his locality. However, the young O’Hickey did manage to acquire a certain knowledge of the language. He studied for the priesthood in St. John’s College in Waterford and was ordained in 1884. He ministered on the Scottish mission until 1893. On his return to Ireland, he became an active member and vice president of Conradh na Gaeilge (Gaelic League) and studied under the well-known Irish scholar Seán Pléimeann (1814-1897). O’Hickey also became a member of the Royal Irish Academy. In 1896 he was appointed Professor of Irish in St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth. O’Hickey was convinced that it was possible to revive the use of Irish as a widely spoken language. However, after several clashes with the Catholic hierarchy and the Maynooth College authorities, he was dismissed in 1909 from his position as Professor of Irish, for his conduct in a controversy about making Irish compulsory for matriculation in the newly founded National University of Ireland (NUI). He publicly and repeatedly implied that episcopal members of the senate of the NUI who opposed making Irish compulsory for matriculation were traitors to Ireland and personally corrupt. He received support from several prominent Irish nationalists (including Eoin MacNeill and Patrick Pearse), Irish language activists, and some of his colleagues including Maynooth’s Theology Professor, Fr. Walter McDonald. He appealed his dismissal to the Vatican, but his case was ultimately rejected. O’Hickey subsequently returned to Waterford, and he died in Portlaw on 19 November 1916. He was buried in a family plot in Carrickbeg.

The material listed here was assembled by Fr. Senan Moynihan OFM Cap., the editor of ‘The Capuchin Annual’, and includes a bound volume containing several of O’Hickey’s pamphlets on Irish education published by the Gaelic League. A subscription list for a testimonial established by O’Hickey’s friends and supporters following his dismissal from his position in Maynooth is also extant.

The sub-series comprises draft poetry submitted by authors for publication in 'The Father Mathew Record' (later 'Eirigh').

The sub-series contains a small collection of letters and poetry submitted by Colm Tóibín to Fr. Donal O’Mahony OFM Cap. for potential publication in 'Eirigh'.

The sub-series contains cumulative and analytical indexes compiled for 'The Father Mathew Record' (later 'Eirigh').

The subseries contains many letters to Fr. Henry Rope mainly from Irish correspondents. These letters were later sent by Father Rope to Fr. Senan Moynihan OFM Cap. for preservation in the Irish Capuchin Archives in Dublin. Father Rope's notable correspondents included George Noble Plunkett, William Frederick Paul Stockley (and his wife, Germaine Stockley), Mary MacSwiney, and Andrew Hilliard Atteridge. The letters refer to a range of literary matters and contributions written by Father Rope for religious periodicals (including several publications produced by Irish and British Jesuits). The letters include references to Catholic literature and spirituality, academia, and the writings of various authors. Many of the letters mention the contemporary political situation in Ireland, particularly during the revolutionary period, and include commentary on events in Britain and in Europe.

The sub-series contains a small collection of prints and photographs connected with the life and ministry of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap.

A collection of pamphlets and reports covering the national movement principally from c.1915-1921. The sub-series comprises printed ephemera such as fliers, handbills, and other publications.

This section includes documents pertaining to payments made for insurance policies covering fire, engineering, and public liability.