First anniversary cards for the executed leaders of the 1916 Rising including one card for Joseph Mary Plunkett, William Pearse, Michael O’Hanrahan, Edward Daly, another for Major John MacBride, and one for ‘for the repose of the souls of the following Irishmen who were executed by English Law’. (Hand coloured, tricolour and green flag over crossed pikes. Interlacing ribbon reads: ‘Our Prayers Daily’.
• Michael O’Hannrachain. With photograph. 2 copies • Ėamonn Ceannt. With photograph. 2 copies • Con Colbert. With photograph. Printed by Gill, Dublin. • Pádraig MacPiarais and William MacPiarais • ‘For the souls of General P. H. Pearse and the Officers and Men of the Irish Republican Army’. • ‘For P.H. Pearse, Thos. J. Clarke and Thos. MacDonagh who died for Ireland, 3rd May, 1916’. • In memory of John Daly, Thomas J. Clarke and John Edward Daly (combined card). 3 copies
Memorial print of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., ‘Chaplain of the Irish Republican Army’. It notes that on ‘his deathbed he renewed his allegiance to the Irish Republic. In deference to his life-long wish, his remains, together with those of this loyal pupil Fr. Dominic now lie side by side in Irish soil in the little cemetery, Rochestown, County Cork’
Two full-length portrait photographic prints of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., at the door to Rochestown College, Cork, prior to his departure for the United States in 1924. With a photographic print of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. with a friar and another unidentified lay individual at Rochestown.
The file includes a clipping reporting the ordination of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. in St. Mary’s of the Angels, Church Street, Dublin (Feb. 1902). With clippings re his involvement in ministering to the 1916 rebel leaders (including Seán Heuston), obituaries and tributes, and later the campaign to have his and Father Dominic’s O’Connor’s body repatriated to Ireland. The file includes clippings from the 'Kilkenny Journal', 'Kilkenny People', 'Cork Examiner' and 'Irish Press'.
Letters from Brigid E. Whelan, Staplestown Rd., Carlow, to Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., regarding a subscription from local people ‘to have a Mass said in the Cathedral, Carlow, for the repose of the soul of the I[rish] V[olunteers] who died in connection with the 1916 Rising which proposal was refused by the administrator ’. (2 May 1916). She later reprobates the ‘clergy [who] had abandoned the cause of their motherland’. She added ‘Thank God that there are such men as you and your “Beloved Brethren”’. (4 May 1917).
Letters from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Augustine Hayden OFM Cap., referring to journey to the United States, from New York to Santa Barbara, California, his declining health and to the consolation he has found as his death approaches. On 25 Jan. 1925 Fr. Albert wrote: ‘I am gradually getting weaker and am preparing for end. … Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. came here last night and will remain with me to the end. Tis a great comfort and joy to have him. He will do for me what he did for Terry McSweeney in Brixton Jail’. With a newspaper cutting from the Santa Barbara Daily News (21 Jan. 1925) containing an article with (photographic prints) of the Old Mission of Santa Ynez and ‘Padre Albert’.
Letters from Nannie O’ Rahilly (wife of ‘The O’Rahilly’), to Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., expressing her regret that a mass in honour of the rebels of 1916 could not be held in Church St. Friary ‘as you did so much for the men who died’. Later she added ‘Thank God we had the Mass at Mt. Argus, it was most touching and edifying and as you say the spirit was splendid, without any outward demonstration. So the priests who refused us might easily have had more courage’.
Letters from Kathleen Clarke (wife of Tom Clarke), 15 Barrington Street, Limerick, to Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., mostly concerning family news. She also wrote: ‘Limerick does not agree with me. I am tired all the time here. I have an unsettled feel here too … . I find it hard to realise that my home and everything is gone, the only thing left is hope, and if our hopes for Ireland’s future are fulfilled the sacrifices will have been worth the making’. She also refers to Ernest Blythe: ‘We had hoped for better for him. I suppose he is left Arbour Hill by this and there would be no use in writing to him
Letters from D. O’Callaghan, prisoner no. q 128, Portland Prison, to Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., Church Street, referring to his health. The official letter states that O’Callaghan is in ‘bad health’ and notes that if he behaves well, shall ‘be allowed to write another letter about 19 Jan. 1918’. A letter M.H. Smith, medical officer, Portland Prison, reports that O’Callaghan ‘is in his usual health’. With cover
