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Material relating to Fr Andrew O'Farrell SJ, including letter from Fr Willie Doyle SJ introducing Andrew O'Farrell to Fr Provincial (1913), catalogue entry (1930), memorial card and obituary.

A file relating to the Irish Jesuit Mission Office (The Ricci Mission Unit) based in Ireland. The file contains financial information (accounts, donations and burses) relating to the Hong Kong mission, letters by Fr Thomas Martin SJ, relating to the administration of the Hong Kong mission and personnel/volunteers for the mission.

Retreat Library at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin with portrait of Fr Willie Doyle SJ in the background – photograph by Gay O’ Brien

Anonymous [ Fr Gregory Ffrench SJ] biographical essay on the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Fr Willie Doyle SJ.

“Father Willie” (Father Willie Doyle, SJ) as part of the “Irish Messenger Series” published by the Irish Messenger Office. Includes a note from Diarmuid [ ], Fitzpatrick’s Book Shop, 12 Cathedral Street, Upper O’ Connell Street, Dublin to Fr Fergal [McGrath] SJ in which he refers to a reprint of an insert letter by T. Cain, 22 Limetree Crescent, Cockermouth, Cumberland which corrects Fr Doyle’s date of death.

Man of the people: Fr William Doyle SJ: centenary celebration.
Carmel Uí Cheallaigh (Author), Jimmy Burns (Illustrator), Elm Books, Dublin, Ireland, 2017

William Joseph Gabriel Doyle was born (1873) at Melrose, Dalkey Avenue, Dalkey, county Dublin. Known as Willie, Billie or Sloper (a comic book hero of the time), he was the youngest of seven children of Hugh Doyle, registrar of the insolvency court, and Christine Doyle (née Byrne). Growing up, Willie was devout, caring and cheerful. Educated at Ratcliffe College, Leicestershire, in 1891 Willie followed his older brother Charles into the Jesuits. After two years as a novice, he taught at Clongowes Wood College, where he produced The Mikado and founded the school magazine, The Clongownian. His Jesuit formation included periods in Belgium and England, and further teaching at Clongowes and Belvedere Colleges. After ordination at Milltown Park on 28th July 1907, Willie began work as an urban missionary and retreat giver in Ireland. His positive attitude made him a great success, and he travelled all around the British Isles. He was also the author of best-selling pamphlets on retreats and vocations.

Volunteering as a military chaplain in First World War, Fr Doyle was sent to France with the Royal Irish Fusiliers in early 1916. Within days of his arrival at the Front, he showed himself outstanding in the work of a chaplain. Lt Col HR Stirke noted that Fr Doyle was ‘one of the finest fellows that I ever met, utterly fearless, always with a cheery word on his lips and ever ready to go out and attend the wounded and the dying under the heaviest fire’. Present at the battles of the Somme and Messines, Fr Doyle was killed during the third battle of Ypres on 16th August 1917, while going to the aid of a wounded man near Frezenberg. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial, Belgium. Fr Doyle was awarded the Military Cross, and he was put forward for the Victoria Cross posthumously but did not receive it. Writing to Willie’s father, Hugh, in December 1917, Major General WB Hickie remarks that: ‘I could not say too much about your son. He was loved and reverenced by us all. His gallantry, self sacrifice and devotion to duty were all so well known and recognized. I think that his was the most wonderful character that I have ever known.’

Pamphlets and mock-up of book cover, advertising various editions of Alfred O'Rahilly's book on Fr Willie Doyle SJ.

Various pictures and sketches of Fr Willie Doyle SJ.

Typescript account by T. Cain, 22 Limetree, Crescent, Cockermouth, Cumberland relating the death of Fr Willie Doyle SJ, which he believes, ‘I was the last man alive to see his body’.

Pray card with image of Fr Willie Doyle SJ.

Fr Willie Doyle’s ‘Pioneer Pin’.

Vow crucifixes belonging to Fr Willie Doyle SJ.

‘A Rondeau for Father Doyle’, Convent of the S[acred] Heart, Vancouver, Canada.

Text of ‘Last thing to be read’ for dinner and supper at the first, second and third day of Triduum.