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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., confirming that a letter has arrived from the Provincial Minister stating that he has arranged for his travelling to Abbottstown in Pennsylvania. Fr. Albert writes ‘I simply dread the saying good-bye here. But I see I must face it and rely on God’s help to bring me through this as he has brought me through other unpleasant experiences in the past’.

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby, St. Benedict’s Rectory, 320 West End Street, New York, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., re his arrival in New York and to his meeting with Fr. Solanus Casey OFM Cap. He describes Casey as ‘a New Yorker, a great worker in the cause and a grand Friar of genial but somewhat ascetic type. He speaks at meetings, writes in [the] Press, and is the friend and trusted confidant of the right people’. Fr. Albert also refers to divisions in the Irish community in New York and notes that ‘our friends are split up into pieces – too bad. I’m speaking with a grand type of man who with tears in his eyes spoke of Liam M[ellows] … English gold and English diplomacy is at work in sowing the seeds of discord here’. He concludes that ‘the more I see here the greater my appreciation of Ireland’.

A note from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. referring to his preparations for his departure for the Santa Inés mission in California. Bibby remarks that he arrived in New York City 'almost a wreck' but leaves it in 'pretty good form'.

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., referring to his weakening condition and suggesting that the end is near. He writes ‘I know my dear mother and sisters will feel my death – won’t you write and console them’. He asks to be remembered in a lengthy list of family members and friends. Bibby writes 'Remember me to all the brethren – for no one have I the smallest particle of bitterness, though alas I have often said bitter things for which I in heartily sorrow'.

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

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., referring to a meeting with a Fr. Keoghan re Sr. Brigid. Fr. Albert askes Fr. Bonaventure to ‘assure her that we are making a big fight for her. Everyone who stands by Ireland to-day is suffering. She suffers because of her devotion to us …’.

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.

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby, Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., referring to arrangements for his departure to the United States. He writes ‘I probably shall remain on here until at least [the] end of this month, possibly longer. All will depend on [the] letter from Provincial’. He also refers to his feelings re his imminent departure. He adds ‘I have now got over 1st effects of announcement. They feel it very much at home. But in this part of [the] world there is a very intense feeling or attitude of "ecclesia" towards all of our friends. This feeling is even more marked here than in Dublin'. He also refers to Br. Bonaventure McCafferty OFM Cap. who, he suggests, is 'under a microscope' following a recent meeting in Cobh.

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., St. Benedict’s Rectory, 320 West End Street, New York, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., affirming that he will soon be leaving for Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, and referring to his impressions of New York. He notes: ‘I feel absolutely no interest in it. I’d willingly go back, do my term of exile – be it long or short – in Mountjoy’. He also refers to the political divisions in the Irish community in the city. He concludes by asking if republican prisoners in Ireland have been released. He writes ‘Is Dev free. The press here doesn’t consider Ireland worthy of mention. England has great social, financial and business grip here’.