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
A clipping of an article reprinting a copy of Fr. Albert Bibby’s final letter to Éamon de Valera pledging his ‘unchanged and unchangeable, and uncompromising’ allegiance to the Republic and to you, its President’. He argues that ‘in the movement for the independence of Ireland I have always endeavoured to remember that I was a Capuchin Priest’. The volume also includes a covering letter from Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. to de Valera enclosing Bibby’ letter and referring to the latter’s ailing health. O’Connor concludes by stating that it is ‘better to die in agony than for freedom than live in luxurious freedom’. (Volume page 116).
A photograph of Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. (right) and Fr. Stanislaus Kavanagh OFM Cap. (second from left) with two unidentified republicans in Freemasons’ Hall (or ‘Masonic Hall’) on Molesworth Street in Dublin. The two Capuchin friars visited the Hall following its seizure by anti-Treaty republicans in April 1922.
A photographic print of Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. among a large crowed at a public event. No information in relation to either the date or the location of the event is given, but it was likely in Cork. The central figure addressing the crowd may be Tomás MacCurtain, Lord Mayor of Cork.
An image of Tomás MacCurtain (seated on the tractor) with a nationalist pipe and drum band at a demonstration of a Fordson tractor (manufactured locally by the American Ford Motor Company) in Cork in 1920. Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. is among the crowd at the event.
List of articles, records and relics relating to Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC stored in a ‘wardrobe’ in Holy Trinity Friary. A note attached to the page indicates that some of these items were moved to Dublin (probably to the Provincial Archives in Dublin). The list covers pp 15a-17 in the Holy Trinity archival volume. Reference is made in the list to 'Fr. Dominic O'Connor's commission as a military chaplain for George V in 1916'. An addendum at the end of the list reads 'On the whole this collection isn't worth much. But there are notes left in O'Connor album and in case which show there were articles here that are no longer here. I conjecture they were taken to Dublin. This is the remains of a collection for museums Fr. Thomas [Dowling OFM Cap.] got together for the Cork [International] Exhibition [1902]'.
Newspaper cuttings book compiled and annotated by Fr. Stanislaus Kavanagh OFM Cap. Printed stamp on inside front cover: ‘Franciscan Capuchin Library, Church Street, Dublin’. The volume includes: • Report on the celebration of the centenary of Father Mathew and proposed completion of Holy Trinity Church [c.1890]. • Obituary of Fr. Bernard Jennings OSFC and tribute by Cork Corporation, 'Cork Examiner' 21 Dec. 1904; 'Freeman’s Journal', 27 Dec. 1904. • Report on the blessing of the new bell at Holy Trinity Church. 24 July 1881. • The jubilee celebrations at Holy Trinity Church, Charlotte Quay, Cork ('Cork Examiner', 18 Feb. 1902). • Retreat for Third Order at Holy Trinity Church ('Cork Examiner', 20 Mar. 1916). • Father Mathew Chalice donated to Holy Trinity Church ('Cork Examiner', 16 Oct. 1928). • The ordination of six Capuchin friars as priests including Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. in Holy Trinity Church. • Damage to Holy Trinity Church by ‘English bullets’ and a reference to the tradition of Capuchin support for the Irish independence struggle (7 Oct. 1920). • The close of the mission in Holy Trinity Church (15 Mar. 1926). • Reports of damage to Holy Trinity Church during disturbances involving the British military (5 Oct. 1920); Fr. Dominic O’Connor’s recitation of the Rosary for political prisoners held Cork County Gaol (8 May 1920). • The funeral (with photographic print) of Fr. Martin Hyland OFM Cap. at Holy Trinity Church, Cork. (3 Apr. 1933). • Funeral of Br. Louis Daly OFM Cap. in Holy Trinity Church.
The fonds consists of the correspondence and papers of Capuchin friars detailing their involvement with participants in the national struggle. The majority of the material dates from 1916-1925 and includes many records highlighting the roles played by Irish Capuchins in ministering to republican leaders and their relations. Of particular interest is a large collection of prison letters including the correspondence of some of the leading figures of the Irish Revolution. The fonds also contains a large collection of republican publicity material, newspapers and miscellaneous items of ephemera and artefacts mostly relating to the military and political campaign organised by nationalists for Irish independence. A smaller collection relating to the repatriation of the bodies of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. and Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. from the United States to Ireland in 1958 is also extant.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. expressing his relief at being able to work again and affirming that he would like to do more preaching. He also refers to communications from Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. and to his distress on not having access to Irish newspapers. Reference is also made to the troubled state of Ireland. He writes ‘the greatest opportunity that came for nearly 800 years lost: it would make one’s blood boil’.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby [to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap.] referring to arrangements for sailing on the 'Republic' steamship from Cobh on 20 June. He also refers to his meeting in Goresbridge with Angela Cook, ‘a niece of Mrs McCurtain’, who is keen on joining a congregation of nuns. He concludes by stating that he has had a letter from Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. who is in ill-health.
