An image of a group of Capuchin Friars in the garden of St. Mary of the Angels, Capuchin Friary, Church Street, Dublin. One of the friars is identifiable. The friar (second on the left) is Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap. (1857-1939). An annotation on the cover gives the location of the photograph.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, California, to Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap., stating that he is ‘perfectly resigned to God’s will and wonderfully happy family’. An annotation on the top of page reads: Fr. Albert’s last letter to me. It was posted after his death. Fr. Paul’
Letter from Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap., Brussels, to Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap., St. Mary of the Angels, Church Street, Dublin, regarding information found in continental archives regarding the early Irish Capuchins particularly in respect of Fr. Francis Nugent OFM Cap. With cover.
The receipt reads: ‘Received from Fr. Paul [Neary] OSFC – a small sealed parcel – addressed to Mrs McBride – mother of the late Major McBride. Fred J. Allan, City Hall’. With cover
Draft report (28 Feb. 1907) by Fr. Paul Neary OSFC (1857-1939), Provincial Minister, on the work of the first year of the National Temperance Crusade led by the Capuchin friars. The report was compiled for Fr. Bernard Christen of Andermatt OSFC, Minister General of the Capuchin Order in Rome. With a cover letter (21 May 1907) from Fr. Paul and a manuscript copy of Fr. Bernard’s reply. The report reads: ‘The Irish Bishops confided this National Crusade to us in October 1905 … but the preaching of the Crusade did not practically begin before January 1906. … The preaching of this Temperance Crusade was specially carried out by twelve of our Fathers, who have been almost constantly engaged during the time. Their labours in the parishes partook much of the character of short missions or spiritual exercises, sometimes for three days, other times a week, and not infrequently a fortnight’. The report also includes testimonials from various Irish bishops and other prominent figures commending the work of the Capuchin friars in leading the temperance crusade.
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
Photographic print of several friars (including Fr. Paul Neary OSFC) in the garden of the Church Street Friary. The image is also extant in the Glass Plate Negative and Lantern Slide collection (see CA PH/1/7).
Photographic print of a group of Capuchin friars playing croquet in the garden of the Church Street Friary. The game is taking place in front of a high wall which fronts out onto Bow Street. Fr. Paul Neary OSFC and Fr. Aloysius Travers OSFC appear to be participating in the game.
List of members of the Capuchin community, Church Street. Sixteen priests and four lay brothers are noted. The list includes Fr. Peter Bowe OSFC, Provincial Minister, Fr. Paul Neary OSFC, Fr. Augustine Hayden OSFC, Fr. Sebastian O’Brien OSFC, Fr. Aloysius Travers OSFC, Vicar, and. Fr. Angelus Healy OSFC. The debt of the community is stated to be £746 1s 11d. It was noted that this figure represents a decrease on the figure of £1,314 6s 7d referred to in the Provincial Chapter of 1907. The property is listed as ‘church, monastery, garden (about 1 acre)’ with an annual rent of £166 9s 0d. Four lots are held freehold and nine lots under lease. Figures are also supplied in the respect of male and female members of the sodalities attached to St. Mary of the Angels including the Third Order of St. Francis, and the Sacred Thirst and the Scared Heart fraternities.
