Conveyance from the Most Rev. Abraham Brownrigg, Roman Catholic Bishop of Ossory, to Fr. Thomas O’Connor OSFC (otherwise Fr. Matthew) and Fr. Michael Neary OSFC (otherwise Fr. Fidelis) of the two dwelling houses known as the Alms House ‘situated between the Friary Chapel and fronting [onto] Lower Walkin Street, parish of St. Mary’s, Kilkenny city’. The conveyance was signed as part of mutual exchange with the Capuchin friars for the two dwelling houses known as ‘The Munster Arms’. With the corresponding agreement of the same date for the lease for ever by Fr. O’Connor and Fr. Neary to Bishop Brownrigg of the two houses formerly called ‘The Munster Arms’. With preparatory draft copies.
Correspondence (including draft copies) regarding a boundary dispute and encroachment claims arising out of new building erected by the Capuchins on Pennyfeather Lane, Kilkenny. The correspondents include Patrick J. Morrissey, Mayor of Kilkenny, Fr. Fidelis Neary OSFC, guardian, Capuchin Friary, Walkin Street, and James Poe & Sons, solicitors.
Letters to Fr. Fidelis Neary OSFC, guardian, Capuchin Friary, Walkin Street, from M.M. Murphy, solicitor, Parliament Street, Kilkenny, referring to a list of deeds relating to properties on Pennyfeather Lane, and to a request for a cheque for £306 10s relating to a deed of conveyance from Joseph Empson.
Account book of ‘monies received towards the new [Friary] building during the year 1895’. An index is given on the title page by Fr. Fidelis Neary OSFC, guardian and definitor: I. List of guarantors on three-year system. II. List of special benefactors with amounts subscribed. III. Amounts received from Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. IV. Expenditure account on new building (mostly with Stephen Lalor [var. Lawlor], builder and contractor).
Expenditure accounts in connection with the building of a new Friary on Walkin Street. The accounts provide details of expenditure including Stephen Lalor, builder (£1,337 12s 7d); Samuel Hynes, architect (£100); alms house purchase (£315 2s 0d). A noted is appended to the accounts: ‘The above items were paid by cheque from bank. Some other items in connection with demolition of old house, repairing of new Alms House &c come under the ordinary expenses of the house’. Includes statement of ‘total amount of contract for addition &c to church and convent, Kilkenny, £3,430 13s 3d’. Endorsed on verso ‘statement of accounts given by Fr. Fidelis on the state of his house’.
Memorandum of agreement of Stephen Lalor [var. Lawlor], builder, Walkin Street, Kilkenny with Fr. Fidelis Neary OSFC, guardian, Capuchin Friary. The agreement (compiled by M.M. Murphy, solicitor) stipulates that Lalor will complete the building works on the Capuchin Friary and Chapel in Kilkenny according to the specifications set down by Samuel Francis Hynes, architect. The total cost of the works and labour is £3,430 13s 4d.
Draft recollections of deceased Irish Capuchin friars compiled by an unknown author (but certainly by another friar). The texts are titled ‘Some who have gone before’ and ‘Predecessors / A Capuchin Reverie’. The text includes personal recollections of: Fr. Leonard Brophy OFM Cap. (1869-1930) Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. (1877-1925) Fr. Matthew O’Connor OFM Cap. (d. 27 Apr. 1930) Br. Felix Harte OFM Cap. (d. 11 Jan. 1935) Fr. Fidelis Neary OFM Cap. (d. 22 June 1932) Fr. Sebastian O’Brien OFM Cap. (1867-1931) Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap. (d. 20 June 1939) The text also refers to several friars who have been given pseudonyms such as ‘Philemon’, ‘Junius’, and ‘Marcion’. The text includes references to Fr. Albert’s role in the 1916 Rising and in the later revolutionary period. It reads: ‘He felt, as few did, the piercing griefs of the young widows of Easter Week. Often would he visit them of an evening. … He made friends with the wistful little son and daughter who were orphaned by the bullets that took [Thomas] MacDonagh’s life away, and who were made motherless by the cruel waves that closed over the drowning body of the patriot’s bride [Muriel MacDonagh drowned in the sea off Skerries, County Dublin, on 9 July 1917]. For them he had a special corner in his affections. All his heart went out to that wee pair, so tragic, so utterly lonely’. The file also includes an attached clipping referring to the re-interment of the bodies of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. and Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. in Rochestown Capuchin Cemetery on 14 June 1958
Register of masses at the Church of St. Francis, Kilkenny. The entries include the signatures of the celebrants. The title is given on the first page: ‘Liber celebrationis missarum commenced September 1st 1893, Fr. Fidelis Neary, guardian’. Monthly totals of masses are given periodically.
