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’
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.
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.
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.
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’.
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.
Agreement for sale from William Adams, Queen Street, to Fr. Matthew (Thomas) O’Connor OSFC, Fr. Leonard (Michael) Brophy OSFC and Fr. Fidelis (Michael) Neary OSFC, Holy Trinity Church, Cork, for premises on Queen Street held under a lease dated 1 Jan. 1846 (CA/HT/2/1/1/9) and for a property known as No. 13 Queen Street held under a lease dated 1 Oct. 1887 for 99 years at the yearly rent of £20. The properties were purchased for £840 free from encumbrances. With searches, bills, instructions for counsel, letters from William Guest Lane, solicitor, and an assignment of said leases from Adams to the Capuchin friars dated 29 Mar. 1900.
