File 43 - Letters from Fr William Ronan SJ to Irish Fr Provincial James Tuite SJ concerning Mungret

Identity area

Reference code

IE IJA SC/MUNG/43

Title

Letters from Fr William Ronan SJ to Irish Fr Provincial James Tuite SJ concerning Mungret

Date(s)

  • 12 August 1880 - 29 November 1882; 77 items 11 September 1899 (Creation)

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File

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77 items

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(1859-)

Administrative history

The first Jesuit school in Limerick was founded by Father David Wolfe SJ (1528-c.1578) in 1565. Over the next three hundred years, the Jesuits presence in Limerick ebbed and flowed. By 1640, a Jesuit residence was established at Castle Lane and by 1672, a school was opened near St Mary’s Cathedral. After an interval of eighty-six years from the Suppression of the Society in 1773, the Jesuits returned to Limerick in 1859 after Bishop John Ryan (1784-1864) had invited the Society to establish a school in the city. The school initially opened in 1859 as St Munchin's College on Hartstonge Street. The pioneer Jesuit community in 1859 were Frs. Edward Kelly (1824-1905) (Rector), Thomas Kelly (1829-1898), Peter Foley (1826-1893), Edmund Hogan (1831-1917), Matthew Saurin (1825-1901) and one scholastic, Mr. Matthew Russell (1834-1912). In January 1862, the Jesuits purchased a neighbouring residence, Crescent House. The church building was started in 1864, opened in 1868 and named after the Sacred Heart in 1869. The college had ceased to be a seminary for the diocese in 1867 and was renamed the Sacred Heart College in 1873. Commonly known as the Crescent College, it ceased to be a fee paying school in 1971 and became the Crescent College Comprehensive SJ. In 1973 the Comprehensive moved to a modern greenfield site at Dooradoyle. Later it became a co-educational school and the Crescent Preparatory School was closed in 1976.

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A file of letters from Fr William Ronan SJ to Irish Fr Provincial James Tuite SJ concerning Mungret. Includes a letter written from St Mary's, Athlone remarking that if the Society of Jesus do not take Mungret then it will be offered to the Holy Ghost Fathers (nd, 11pp). Includes a letter written from the College of the Sacred Heart, Crescent, Limerick concerning a meeting with the Bishop (Dr Butler). Remarks that the Bishop did not know that the Society was interested in taking Mungret '…otherwise he would not have consented to Lord Emly's request to invite the Fathers of the H. Ghost' (29 December 1881, 13pp). Includes a letter written from the College of the Sacred Heart, Crescent, Limerick concerning a system of studies for Mungret. Remarks that the trustees have made a condition that agriculture must be taught but have agreed that the teaching of chemistry and botany would fulfil this condition. Refers to the Holy Ghost fathers efforts to get Mungret. (9 January 1882, 8pp). Includes letters relating to Fr Bourke's surrender of Mungret to the Bishop of Limerick (15 January 1882 - 10 February 1882, 4 items). Includes letters relating to the Bishop's acceptance of the Society's terms and conditions for Mungret. Asks Fr Provincial for a subscription to the Apostolic School. Refers to the clear distinction between the Lay school and Apostolic School. (24 February 1882- 6 March 1882, 3 items). Includes letters relating to the decision to follow the University rather than the Intermediate programme of studies at Mungret. (26 March 1882 - 31 March 1882, 4 items). Includes letters relating to the dedication of Mungret to the Sacred Heart. (15 August 1882 - 9 September 1882, 3 items).

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The Irish Jesuit Archives are open only to bona fide researchers. Access by advance appointment.

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No material may be reproduced without the written permission of the Archivist. Copyright restrictions apply. Photocopying is not available. Digital photography is at the discretion of the Archivist.

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2010; 2020

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