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.
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.
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.
Copy deed of conveyance from the FMC Trust, c/o Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny, to Edward and Corann Loughlin, 31 Thorndale Drive, Malahide Road, Artane, Dublin 5, of all premises and property situated at the junction of Friary Street and Garden Row with the yard at the rear thereof held in fee simple and subject to the terms and conditions as set down in the fee farm grant (29 Oct. 1898) from Penelope H. Colles and others to Fr. Matthew O’Connor OSFC and Fr. Fidelis Neary OSFC at an annual rent of £13 7s 8d. Consideration: £101,000. With draft copies, draft memorandum of agreement, draft conditions of sale and a blank memorial for registering the said deed in the Registry of Deeds.
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
Notes possibly compiled by Fr. Benvenutus Guy OSFC (1860-1927) regarding the simple professions of Br. Malachy Austin OSFC of Cork, Br. Fidelis Neary OSFC of Freshford and Br. Anthony Cooney OSFC of Killaloe at the Friary Church in Kilkenny. Fr. Albert Mitchell OSFC of Dublin, Custos Provincial, received their vows. Fr. Louis Hennessy OSFC, guardian of the Church Street Friary, Dublin, preached at the Mass. Fr. Francis Hayes OSFC ‘being the Guardian of Kilkenny’ was also present. On 21 Sept. 1881 it was noted that six priests were ordained – ‘five of whom were the exiled French Capuchin students, the sixth was Fr. Fidelis Neary OSFC of Freshford’
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’.
