Typed letter to +McQuaid from W.R. O’ Hegarty, Joint Hon. Sec., Joint Committee of Women’s Societies and Social Workers, seeking a meeting on the matter of Legal Adoption and the amendment of the Birth Certificate.
Circular from +Heenan to +McQuaid stating a Mass will be held for the victims of the Aer Lingus crash which happened off Tuskar Rock, Co. Wexford on 24 March. The Mass will be co-concelebrated by Fr. Hegarty whose priest brother died in the crash. Annotated by +McQuaid. 2 items
Typed letter to +McQuaid from W.R. O’Hegarty, Joint Hon. Sec., Joint Committee of Women’s Societies and Social Workers, explaining the steps they have taken regarding the difficulties of the matter of Legal Adoption. Request an interview.
Handwritten letter to “A duine uasal” from W.R. O’Hegarty. The Archbishop should keep the Draft Act as long as he requires it, but as she has only one copy she would be grateful if he would return it. Na Sean Gaedhilig ar a’ bPaisde 3/ 14/1 24 April 1946 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Miceal O Colgain and Miceal O Maolain, Coisde na bPaisdi. The Committee sends children of working class parents to the Connemara Gaelteach each year for a month’s holiday. Their aims are to give the children a thorough grasp of the language and an opportunity to enjoy themselves. The Committee would like to meet with the Archbishop to discuss some aspects of their work with him. 3/ 14/2. Cunntas na mBliadhan 1942-’43-’45. Parents’ Association, Central Committee 3/ 15/ 1. 24 July 1946 Typed letter to +McQuaid from T. Waldron asking that public prayers be offered in all Churches during Divine Service for a speedy and just settlement of the teachers’ strike and the reopening of the schools. 3/ 15/ 2 7 August 1946 Handwritten letter to V. Rev. M. O’Connell, Archbishop’s Secretary, from Terence Waldron. The Committee directed him to state that what they had in view was the recital of public prayers as was done in other emergencies. Married Couples Housing Association
aid towards the Christmas Fund. 1 item Emergency Housing Association 3/4/A/1. 23 June 1948 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Dermot O’Kelly, Hon. Sec., Emergency Housing Association. This newly formed Association, whose Chairman is M. Fitzpatrick T.D., plan to organise support for an Emergency House plan to be sponsored and financed by the Government. Plans have been prepared for a three roomed bungalow which could be mass produced at a cost of £550 per bungalow. He asked the Archbishop for a letter of support which would be read at a public meeting in the Mansion House. 1 item 3/4/ A/2. 2 July 1948 Handwritten draft reply, from Michael P. O’Connell, stating that +McQuaid bids him to say it is unusual to give such a letter to any particular group. Were such a letter given it would be superfluous. The attitude and the unremitting work of the Archbishop concerning housing for the poor is unmistakably clear to all the civil authorities. The Women’s Social and Progressive League 3/ 5. 3 December 1946 Typed letter to +McQuaid (circulated to 13 persons) from Sheila Mulcahy and Rosamund Jacob, The Women’s Social and Progressive League, “for information and support.” The Committee is suggesting that a woman be appointed Minister of Social Services. 3/ 6/1. 5 February 1948 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Rosamond Jacob, Hon. Sec., The Women’s Social and Progressive League, drawing his attention to the enclosed pronouncements of His Holiness the Pope. 3/ 6/2 Leaflet entitled “Hear the Pope on Women in Politics”. Legal Adoption Society (Eire) 3/ 7/1. 15 May 1948 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Hubert M. James, Chairman, Legal Adoption Society (Eire) requesting a meeting for a small deputation of the Committee. The Society aims to introduce into the Constitution an Act legalising the adoption of children and revise Birth Certificates so as to remove the stigma of children of doubtful parentage. 3/7/ 2. 20 March 1948 Handwritten draft letter signed by Michael P. Connell inquiring of the precise purpose of the interview and the nature of the communication to be made. Irish Countrywomen’s Association 3/ 8. 19 September 1944 Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from Mrs Olive Rowe, Acting Secretary, Irish Countrywomen’s Association, regarding the time for a meeting with two members of their Executive, Miss O’Connell and Mrs McNeill. 3/ 9/1 5 June 1948 Typed letter to Rev. Fr. Glennon from Josephine McNeill, Chairman of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association. Due to her commitments in Cork and Waterford she would like her interview with +McQuaid – should he grant one – in the next few days. 3/ 9/2 5 June 1948 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Josephine McNeill seeking the favour of an interview. She has been approached by Major Ruzicka, Czechoslovak Minister to Eire, to help him enlist Irish aid, especially Irish Catholic aid, for the Czechoslovak refugees who have fled the Communist regime, 80% of whom are Catholic and living in the US zone. 3/ 9/3 9 June 1948 Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from Josephine McNeill thanking him for his letter. She had hoped to meet him. Now that the Czech terror is in full swing the number of refugees was mounting. Even a small gesture of Christian brotherhood might have a value greater than its material bulk. The Assertion of Rights Movement 3/ 10/1. 21 June 1947 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Vincent Collins, Secretary, The Assertion of Rights Movement. The Movement, composed of a small number of Catholic men, studies social problems in the light of Catholic teaching. Seeks interview with +McQuaid to have his guidance. 3/10/ 2. Memorandum of the Assertion of Rights Movement. 3/10/ 3. The Constitution of the Assertion of Rights Movement. 3/10/ 4. June 1947 Copy of letter to +McQuaid from Vincent Collins (6/1). 3/10/ 5 Copy of the Memorandum of the Assertion of Rights Movement. Irish Emigrants’ Resettlement Organisation 3/ 11. 10 April 1947 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Sean O Cuimon, Secretary, Irish Emigrants’ Resettlement Organisation, inviting him to speak at their first public meeting to be held in the Mansion House on the subject of Emigration. Lower Prices Council 3/ 12. 3 March 1947 Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from M.H. Tweedy, Secretary, Lower Prices Council, saying it would be a great help to them if they could say, when asking for a hall, that the Archbishop had no objection to them having the use of schools and parochial halls for their meetings. Joint Committee of Women’s Societies and Social Workers 3/ 13/1. 28 November 1947 Typed letter to +McQuaid from Mrs W.R. O’Hegarty, Joint Hon. Sec., Joint Committee of Women’s Societies and Social Workers. The Committee has been working on the matter of Legal Adoption and now have definite proposals which they would like to discuss with the Archbishop. 3/ 13/ 2. List of member societies.