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.
A group of Capuchin friars in Kilkenny in about 1907. The title, ‘Conradh na Gaeilge’ (Gaelic League), has been superimposed on the original glass plate. Many of the Capuchin friars were fluent Irish speakers. Some like Fr. Augustine Hayden OFM Cap. and Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. were also enthusiastic members of the Gaelic League, regularly preaching in the native language in Gaeltacht areas. This group includes Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. (standing, first on the right) and Fr. Columbus Murphy OFM Cap. (standing, fifth from the left) who later ministered to rebel combatants in the 1916 Rising. Other friars in the group include Fr. Stanislaus Kavanagh OFM Cap. (standing, fourth from the left) and Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. (standing, third from the right).
An image of a group of Capuchin friars on a excursion to Inistioge in County Kilkenny in about 1907. Identifiable individuals include: Third row, first on the left: Fr. Ignatius Collins OFM Cap. (1885-1961) Second row, first on the left: Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap. (1886-1971) Second row, second on the left: Fr. Sylvester Mulligan OFM Cap. (1875-1950) Second row, first on the right: Fr. Dominic O'Connor OFM Cap. (1883-1935) First row, second on the left: Fr. Cyril O'Sullivan OFM Cap. (1887-1921) First row, first on the right: Fr. Columbus Murphy OFM Cap. (1881-1962)
An image of several Capuchin friars posing on a donkey and cart in the countryside near Inistioge in County Kilkenny. The group includes Seated on donkey: Fr. Ignatius Collins OFM Cap. (1881-1961) Standing at rear, second on the left: Fr. Dominic O'Connor OFM Cap. (1883-1935) Standing at rear, third on the left: Fr. Columbus Murphy OFM Cap. (1881-1962) Seated on cart, front, first on the left: Fr. Cyril O'Sullivan OFM Cap. (1887-1921) Seated on cart, third on the left: Fr. Sylvester Mulligan OFM Cap. (1875-1950)
A group of Capuchin friars with musical instruments in the Kilkenny Friary in c.1905. Identifiable individuals include: Front row (seated): First on the left: Br. Edward Walsh OFM Cap. (1881-1961) First on the right: Br. Ignatius Collins OFM Cap. (1885-1961)
Second row (seated): First on the right: Br. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap. (1874-1938) First on the left: Br. Brendan O’Callaghan OFM Cap. (1880-1952)
Third row (standing): First on the right: Br. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. (1877-1925) Second on the right: Br. Cyril O’Sullivan OFM Cap. (1887-1921) Third on the right: Br. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. (1880-1968) Second on the left: Br. Gregory O’Kelly OFM Cap. (d. 9 Apr. 1947) First on the left: Br. Philip King OFM Cap. (1885-1952)
Fourth row (standing): First on the right: Br. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. (1883-1935) Second on the right: Br. Malachy Hynes OFM Cap. (1879-1955) Third on the right: Br. Berchmans Cantillon OFM Cap. (1880-1942) Forth on the right: Br. Columbus Murphy OFM Cap. (1881-1962) Second on the left: Br. Adrian Sharkett OFM Cap. (1879-1965) First on the left: Br. Colman Griffin OFM Cap. (1886-1971
A group portrait of several Capuchin friars outside the Capuchin Friary on Church Street in Dublin. The photograph may have been taken on the occasion of a jubilee celebration for Fr. Salvator Maria Corrigan OFM Cap. The group includes: Standing at door: Fr. Benedict Phelan OFM Cap. (1874-1947) Second row, first on the left: Fr. Angelus Healy OFM Cap. (1875-1953) Second row, second on the left: Br. Felix Harte OFM Cap. (1861-1935) Second row, third on the left: Fr. Stanislaus Kavanagh OFM Cap. (1875-1965) Second row, fourth on the left: Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap. (1856-1926) Second row, fifth on the left: Fr. Columbus Murphy OFM Cap. (1881-1962) Second row, sixth on the left: Br. Leo Cronin OFM Cap. (1859-1949) First row, first on the left: Fr. Sylvester Mulligan OFM Cap. (1975-1950) First row, second on the left: Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap. (1870-1957) First row, fourth on the left: Fr. Salvator Maria Corrigan OFM Cap. (1835-1919)
A ‘Savage Model 1907’ Pistol reputed to have been used by an Irish Volunteer during the 1916 Rising. The weapon was found by a Capuchin friar on North King Street after the conclusion of the hostilities. With leather holster and spare bullet cartridge. A manuscript note found with the pistol in the gallery of St. Mary of the Angels, Church Street reads: ‘These are souvenirs of the 1916 Rising’. A revolver used in King Street. A scissors used in the Four Courts’. Fr. Col[umbus Murphy OFM Cap.]’.
The file includes: • Reports of the seventh centenary celebrations of the Franciscan Order at St. Mary of the Angels, Church Street ('Irish Catholic', 5 Jan. 1927; 'Irish Independent', 31 Jan. 1927). Includes photographic prints of Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap. and Fr. Angelus Healy OFM Cap. An image of the High Altar in the Church decorated with a banner (‘Saint Francis / Pray for Us’) is also included. • Report of a talk on ‘Industrial Conciliation Boards’ by Fr. Thomas Dowling OSFC in the Rotary Club, Dublin. 'Evening Herald', 6 Nov. 1922. • An article on the Irish Tertiary Pilgrimage to Rome led by Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap., Fr. Columbus Murphy OFM Cap. and Fr. Canice Bourke OFM Cap. of the Church Street Friary. 'Irish Independent', 12 Oct. 1926. • ‘The Franciscan Year / Solemn Opening / Ceremonies at St. Mary of the Angels, Dublin / Eloquent Sermon by the Most Rev. Sylvester Mulligan OSFC, Definitor General, Rome’. 'Irish Catholic', 7 Aug. 1926. • ‘The Capuchins / A Great Franciscan Reform / Foundation of the Irish Province’. c.1925. • ‘Honouring the memory of the men of Easter Week’. A clipping of a print showing a procession organised by Cumann 1916 which left St. Mary of the Angels, Church Street, for Glasnevin Cemetery. 'Freeman’s Journal', 25 Apr. 1922.
An image of the performers in a production of ‘Aladdin’ in Father Mathew Hall in Cork for the 1923-4 pantomime season. The Capuchin friar (second row, first on the right) is Fr. Columbus Murphy OFM Cap. (1881-1962).
