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
The receipt reads: ‘Received from Fr. Paul [Neary] OSFC – a small sealed parcel – addressed to Mrs McBride – mother of the late Major McBride. Fred J. Allan, City Hall’. With cover
Notice of decree to Fr. Paul Neary OSFC, President, Catholic Boys’ Brigade, Church Street. The notice refers to enquires to be held by the High Court, Chancery Division, into the disposal of the estate of John Green, late of 20 St. Alphonsus Road, Dublin, merchant.
Letter of Fr. Hilary McDonagh OFM Cap., Via Boncompagni, 71, Rome, to Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap., informing him that he has located a letter from the late Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap, in the archives of the General Capuchin Curia. Fr. Hilary writes: ‘I am informed that it is not usual nor advisable to allow such documents into any hands outside the Curia, so I fear it will not be possible to allow it to be used by any historian of the sad period about which it centres – at least for the present’. With cover.
Letter from Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap., Brussels, to Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap., St. Mary of the Angels, Church Street, Dublin, regarding information found in continental archives regarding the early Irish Capuchins particularly in respect of Fr. Francis Nugent OFM Cap. With cover.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, California, to Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap., stating that he is ‘perfectly resigned to God’s will and wonderfully happy family’. An annotation on the top of page reads: Fr. Albert’s last letter to me. It was posted after his death. Fr. Paul’
Lease of Henry William Parnell, 3rd Baron Congleton, and Colonel Henry Parnell, to Fr. Paul Neary OSFC, Fr. Nicholas Murphy OSFC and Fr. Columbus Maher OSFC of a plot of ground extending from Bow Street to Church Street for 300 years at the yearly rent of £30. The deed has a coloured map showing the property referred to in the lease.
Lease by John Cornwall Brady, Myschall House, County Carlow, to Fr. Paul Neary OSFC, Fr. Nicholas Murphy OSFC and Fr. Columbus Maher OSFC, Church Street, Dublin, of a plot of ground on the west side of Church Street ‘formerly called Proper Lane’ for 99 years at the annual rent of £10.
List of members of the Capuchin community, Church Street. Sixteen priests and four lay brothers are noted. The list includes Fr. Peter Bowe OSFC, Provincial Minister, Fr. Paul Neary OSFC, Fr. Augustine Hayden OSFC, Fr. Sebastian O’Brien OSFC, Fr. Aloysius Travers OSFC, Vicar, and. Fr. Angelus Healy OSFC. The debt of the community is stated to be £746 1s 11d. It was noted that this figure represents a decrease on the figure of £1,314 6s 7d referred to in the Provincial Chapter of 1907. The property is listed as ‘church, monastery, garden (about 1 acre)’ with an annual rent of £166 9s 0d. Four lots are held freehold and nine lots under lease. Figures are also supplied in the respect of male and female members of the sodalities attached to St. Mary of the Angels including the Third Order of St. Francis, and the Sacred Thirst and the Scared Heart fraternities.
