Letter from Joseph W. Cleary, National Education Office, to Fr. Mark McDonnell OSFC, Church Street, enclosing a printed draft of the rules (particularly in respect of funding) for Evening National Schools. With a letter from P.E. Lemass to Fr. Peter Bowe OSFC informing him that St. Francis’ Male Evening School has been recognised by the Office of National Education. Also includes a memorandum noting that St. Francis’ School has received a capitation grant of £15 15s 0d from the Commissioners of Education.
Letter from Michael J. Dwyer, Main Street, Roscrea, to Fr. Peter Bowe OSFC, expressing his joy in having a branch of the organisation established in Roscrea.
List of class hours undertaken by Mr. J.J. Doyle with young officers of the Catholic Boys’ Brigade. The total numbers of hours are noted as seventeen. With an addition: ‘Paid with thanks, J.J. Doyle’.
On the evening of 2 September 1913 two overcrowded tenement buildings at 66 and 67 Church Street collapsed. The two buildings were situated opposite the Capuchin Friary on the street. Of those trapped in the buildings, seven died (including three children) and many others were left seriously injured. Over 100 people were left homeless and destitute. The tragedy, occurring at a time of heightened political and labour unrest, highlighted the dreadful conditions of many of the buildings in Dublin, both in terms of the physical fabric of the dwellings and the endemic overcrowding in inner city tenements. A report on the disaster was presented to the British Parliament in February 1914, but with the outbreak of war in the summer of that year housing conditions in Irish capital ceased to be a political priority.
A clipping from the 'Daily Mirror' (5 Sept. 1913) reporting on the 'children killed in the tenement collapse' on Church Street. A manuscript annotation on the clipping reads 'left Fr. Jarlath [Hynes]. Right Fr. Paul [Neary]. Gentleman smoking cigarette is Mr. M. Moynihan C.E., Fr. Kevin's [Moynihan] brother'.
A clipping from the 'Evening Telegraph' (6 Sept. 1913) showing the woman on the right collecting on O'Connell Street for a relief fund established in the aftermath of the Church Street tenement disaster.
Schedules containing statements showing the ‘number of persons who, prior to the disaster, resided in Nos. 66 and 67 (the houses were completely demolished), the number killed, injured, and left homeless. The statement also includes the number killed and injured in house No. 64, and the amount of grants given’. Other schedules refer to the number of persons who vacated adjoining properties ‘through a reasonable sense of fear at the collapse of the houses 66 and 67 …’ and other relief actions to be taken.
Schedule containing statements showing the ‘number of persons who, prior to the disaster, resided in Nos. 66 and 67 (the houses were completely demolished), the number killed, injured, and left homeless. The statement also includes the number killed and injured in house No. 64, and the amount of grants given’.
Report of the Housing Committee presented to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of Dublin. The report relates to awards of compensation to tenement dwellers in the Beresford Street and Church Street areas. The report also submits a ‘revised scheme for workmen’s dwellings’ at these locations. The report was submitted by C.J. Murray, Chairman of the Committee, City Hall, Dublin. The pamphlet is paginated pp 59-66. A coloured plan for the area is appended to the publication. The explanatory note extant on the plan reads: ‘This plan provides for No. 24, Four Roomed Houses; No. 98 Three Roomed Houses; No. 34, Two Roomed Cottages. Total, 156’. Scale: 60 feet to 1 inch.
