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Letter from Aubrey Gwynn to his father asking for leave to become a Jesuit ([June 1910], 4pp) and his father’s reply, urging him to wait at least until Aubrey reaches twenty-one before he makes such a momentous decision (20 June [1910], 4pp).

Letter from Fr John O'Fallon Pope SJ to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V Nolan SJ.

Letter from Mr Aubrey Gwynn SJ, Rathfarnham Castle, County Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial concerning his studies and when he will take his retreat.

Letters from Mr Aubrey Gwynn SJ to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V Nolan SJ.

Letters from Fr John H. Wright SJ to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V Nolan SJ.

'Maxims of Christian Chivalry' by Fr Robert Kane SJ.

Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Irish Provincial John Fahy SJ, concerning Fr Gwynn’s ‘future work’. While Fr Gwynn is keen to go to the missions in China, Fr Fahy is anxious that he should stay in Ireland and work at U.C.D. and University Hall – ‘I write…that you may know how I sympathise with missionary work. A decision will not be made for some time about your future. Meanwhile I think that I should say frankly that, in my opinion, our CCs would for many reasons be opposed to your leaving Ireland – wishing to have you for U.C.D., Dr Coffey is, I understand making arrangements to have a chair in Ancient History founded for you.’

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial John Fahy SJ to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning the newly founded ‘lectureship in Ancient History in U.C.D.’. ‘I feel that you will be very much disappointed when I ask you… to present yourself as a candidate; for I know that you wish to go to China. Do try to forgive me when I ask you to do something that pleases you less.’

Letters from Fr Daniel J Finn SJ, 62 Robinson Road, Hong Kong to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning his life and work in Hong Kong. Describes his surroundings and discusses Chinese culture. The second letter is incomplete.

Letter to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ (Lecturer in Ancient History, U.C.D.) on Fr Matthew Devitt’s interpretation of ‘the last clause of the Maynooth Decree…forbidding priests either to attend or to speak at meetings in T.C.D.. This seems to me to be a very strict interpretation of a vague prohibition, and as the matter concerns me closely, I should be glad to let you have my position in writing.’

Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Matthew J. Byrne, Kerry (brother of Frs. George and William Byrne SJ), relating some incidents which occurred during the era of the Penal Laws. Includes information on a ‘penal law Altar preserved in a house at Causeway with vestments and altar furniture, all ready for Mass…in a concealed hollow in wall of bedroom of house once occupied by a Fr Neilan.’

A file relating to ways in which the teaching and knowledge of Latin might be improved amongst the Juniors in the Irish Province.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Mrs. E. Bunto[n], Barbados Public Library (2 items), enclosing extracts from the Minutes of the Council of Barbados with reference to the Irish in the West Indies (8pp).

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn S from various academics who have been tracing documents for him in relation to his work on the Irish in the West Indies. Includes some transcripts of relevant documents.

Letters from Fr Nicholas J. Tomkin SJ (Library Censor) to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ relating to Fr Gwynn’s articles ‘An Irish Settlement on the Amazon, 1612 – 1629’ in 'Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy', (xli, p.1 – 54) and ‘Documents relating to the Irish in the West Indies’ [1612 – 1752] in 'Analecta Hibernica', (iv, p.139 – 286), with censor’s suggestions.

Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Tomás Ó Cléirigh (National Museum of Ireland) enclosing a copy of a reference to Irishman in the West Indies found in a 1663 publication by Rev. John Dowley.

Letter from Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ, 35 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin to Fr Frank Shaw SJ concerning Fr Shaw's status and the necessary move to Rathfarnham that is involved. Remarks that Fr Shaw will be able to complete his studies in Rathfarnham with little interruption. (see 33 (ii) Próinséas Ní Chatháin.

Letter from Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ, 35 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin to Fr Frank Shaw SJ concerning the completion of Fr Shaw's D. Litt. and irish Fr Provincial's wish that Fr Shaw wait until after theology to put the finishing touches to his thesis.

Notes and letters from Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ relating to the St Joseph’s Young Priests Society, with regard to its income, expenditure and general policy. Fr Gwynn played an important part in the Society’s foundation and development (1927-49) and was Honorary Editor of its quarterly magazine Saint Joseph’s Sheaf.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Frank N. Stagg, Commander R.N. retired, concerning Fr Gwynn’s ‘research on the history of the Irish in the West Indies and the island of Monserrat.’

Proposed articles for the commemorative issue of 'Studies' for the fourth centenary of the foundation of the Society of Jesus. Includes a letter from Aubrey Gwynn SJ, 35 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ concerning the commemorative issue.

Correspondence between the Irish Fr Provincial and successive editors of the 'Irish Monthly'. Includes: letters, memoranda and notes relating to deliberations on the future of the magazine in November 1932, discussions on the terms upon which the management of the 'Irish Monthly' could be changed and letters concerning the controversy caused by an article entitled ‘The Papal Encyclicals and the Banking Commission’ by Fr Edward Coyne SJ in which Fr Coyne was said by Mr Peter O'Loghlen, T.D. to have made ‘gravely misleading and damaging’ comments with reference to Mr O'Loghlen’s Report as a member of the Banking Commission.

Documents, mainly letters to Irish Fr Provincial reporting on works in progress by various Jesuits, to be published during the fourth centenary year of the foundation of the Society. Includes letters from Frs John Ryan, Timothy Mulcahy, Charles Scantlebury, Henry Gill, Joseph Canavan, Michael McGrath, Patrick Gannon, Stephen Brown, Arthur Little, John MacErlean, Edward Coyne (See also ADMN/3/37; 39; 42; 57), Timothy Corcoran, Aubrey Gwynn and Seán Ó Catháin. Also includes lists of titles and authors and a memorandum on historical publications of the Irish Province by Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ (See also ADMN/3/18; 37; 40).

Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from J.G. Mudd[iman], Dorset Square, London, who is working on “a sort of ‘Contemporary History of Cromwell.’ ” States that he is ‘very decidedly of (the) opinion that a volume …of Cromwell’s letters would be of very great importance. He has a definite story to tell, tells it at length, knows personally all the persons he mentions and has a knowledge of English so perfect that he hardly ever makes a mistake in the spelling of a name.’

Documents relating to the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Legion of Mary, mainly concerning the relationship between the Society of Jesus and the two organisations.

Documents examining ‘the question of the advisability or otherwise of our…(the Irish Jesuit Province)…founding & running a Weekly Paper’ following Fr General’s letter asking the Provincial to “find out the views of ‘peritorum Patrum’ on this subject.” Includes copy of circular letter and questionnaire sent by the Provincial to sixteen ‘knowledgeable’ Jesuits and replies from the following Fathers: Patrick Connolly (Editor of 'Studies'), Michael Kirwan, John Ryan, Aubrey Gwynn (ADMN/3/18; 29; 40), Timothy Corcoran, Michael Egan, Edward Cahill, Joseph Canavan, Timothy Mulcahy (Editor of 'Madonna', 'Irish Monthly' and 'The Jesuit Directory'), Edward J. Coyne (See also ADMN/3/29; 39; 42; 57), John McMahon, George Roche, John Keane, Charles Doyle (includes two unsigned replies from Frs Stephen Brown and Charles Scantlebury). Also includes tables of summaries of the views expressed.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial concerning the celebrations for the fourth centenary of the foundation of the Society. Includes:

• letter and notes by Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ (See also ADMN/3/18; 29; 37) concerning a discovery he made in the course of reviewing a German History of the Jesuit Missions under Fr Roothaan, written for the centenary – ‘I found that the four years spent by Fr Robert St Leger at Calcutta (1834-38) mark a turning-point in the whole missionary policy of the new Society. He and Fr Roothaan differed on a fundamental point, and he was recalled after four years. But Fr Roothaan was later compelled by wider experience to adopt the policy which he had opposed in Fr St Leger’s case – i.e., the policy of permitting our Fathers on the missions to accept promotion to episcopal dignity.’ (26 February 1940, 2 items);
• copies of circular letters sent to Jesuit schools and to scholastics by Irish Fr Provincial informing them of the date and form of the celebrations for the centenary in each community (11-12 May 1940, 3 items) and
• copies of newspaper cuttings, congratulatory letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Galway Corporation and the Catholic Social Service Conference and copy replies ([22 August] – 29 September 1941, 9 items).

A file relating to the exception taken by the ecclesiastical authorities of the Archdiocese of Dublin to two sentences in a review of an American book entitled Religious Instruction and Education in the September issue of Studies (1942). Includes letters from Archbishop John Charles McQuaid to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ concerning the issue.

'The Date of the B-text of Piers Plowman' by Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ.

Notes and letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning manuscripts in the British Museum relating to Archbishop Lanfranc and St Anselm. Includes note (6 April 1943) with ‘Notes taken at Aberystwyth – where B.M. MSS were stored in 1943.’

Letters concerning the relationship between the Society of Jesus and the Legion of Mary and the Legion’s 1943 Dundalk Missionary Display. Includes letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Archbishop McQuaid.

'Church History for Schools' by 'Fr Jerome Mahony SJ.

Correspondence, mainly between Irish Fr Provincial and Monsignor James Moynagh, Prefect Apostolic at Kiltegan, County Wicklow, concerning Mgr. Moynagh’s proposals to establish a Catholic hostel for West African students attending the National University in Dublin. Includes copies of letters: from Archbishop McQuaid and others, to Mgr. Moynagh; from Mgr. Moynagh to Fr S. Harrington (Provincial of The Society of African Missions) and to Irish Fr Provincial John McMahon SJ and Fr Provincial’s reply.

A letter from J. P. Lonan Murphy, McCann and Murphy, Solicitors, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin to Rev. Aubrey Gwynn, SJ, 35 Lower Leeson Street regarding the will of Mr Joseph Dolan and the erection of windows in the chapel of University Hall, Hatch Street, Dublin.

Purchase of Baymount Castle, Dollymount. Letters from Mr J T Gwynn, Baymount Castle, Dollymount to Frs Sean McCarron and John Coyne, regarding the sale of Baymount to the Jesuits which refers to sale price, dates in which they can occupy the house, solicitors details and queries (boundary wall, rates), items for sale at Baymount which the Jesuits intend to buy (278 lbs of jam), discounts on items. Includes lists of items bought from Mr J T Gwynn, Baymount Castle by the Jesuits which include items from basement pantry, kitchen, dining room, drawing room, etc (August 1948) and items required (December 1948). Mr J T Gwynn was the uncle of Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ and had been headmaster of the Protestant Preparatory School at Baymount. His daughter made an unsuccessful effort to carry on the school with a small mixed infants class (See letter from Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ to Father Provincial, 16 February 1948). See CM/MAN/55.

A file of letters from Fr Thomas J. Fullerton, The Oratory, Birmingham, England to Rev Aubrey Gwynn, SJ regarding the stained glass windows in University Hall, Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Suggests that the four small windows should depict effigies of Ambrose, Augustine, Gregory and Jerome. Remarks that this design ‘...seems to me quite a suitable one, and particularly appropriate for the college chapel.’ (7 August 1946, 1p). Referring to Evie Hone’s suggestion for a suitable design. He (Fr Fullerton) remarks ‘I do not care very much for Miss Hone’s suggestion of the bunch of grapes and the sheaves of corn...’ (12 October 1946, 1p). Describes a visit to Ashdown Park, Sussex where he ‘...saw the splendid convent chapel of the Notre Dame Sisters, with its chancel windows by Harry Clarke...’ (24 June 1947, 2pp). Remarks that he wishes to have a plaque erected in the chapel of University Hall commemorating Joseph Dolan who provided the funds for the windows (28 June 1947, 1p). Referring to the completion of the work Fr Fullerton remarks ‘I am afraid you have had far too much trouble over the windows and the inscription. Miss Hone, however, has no ground for complaint; she has been generously treated.’. Continues ‘Miss Hone’s detail showing that the basis of her calculation was at the rate of £7.10.0 per sq. foot was irrelevant as you had not accepted any measurements but simply asked that the window spaces be filled with glass to an approved design.’ (14 November 1948, 3pp).

A file relating to the fate of the Irish Jesuit priests working in Hong Kong during the Second World War and the Japanese occupation of the city. Includes returned letters to Irish Fr Provincial marked 'No Service Return to Sender'. Includes letters from family members asking for news or reporting to Irish Fr Provincial on letters received by them. Includes letters from other individuals seeking news about non Jesuit family members. Includes a copy of a request by Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ to Joseph P. Walshe, Department of External Affairs seeking help in assisting four Jesuit students to return home to Ireland (23 March 1943, 1p). Includes a reply stating that a proposed scheme to exchange civilian internees applies only to British or Allied subjects (12 May 1943, 1p). Includes a memorandum written by Fr Joy on Irish nationals in Hong Kong. The memorandum was sent by Irish Fr Provincial to the Irish Red Cross (24 October 1942, 2pp). Includes letters concerning Irish Jesuits who left Hong Kong to live and work in India during the war and subsequent return to Hong Kong when the war was over. Includes 'A Priest in a Japanese Jail' by Fr Gerard Casey SJ (1948)

Documents concerning the editorship of ‘St Joseph’s Sheaf’, the magazine of the St Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society.

A file of letters from Evie Hone, Dower House, Marlay, Rathfarnham, Dublin to Fr Aubrey Gwynn, SJ regarding the design and the cost of the stained glass windows in the chapel in University Hall, Hatch Street, Dublin. Remarks that she will try to keep the estimate as low as possible but refers to the increase in cost for glass and glazier’s wages (14 March 1947, 3pp). Refers to the difficulty of purchasing glass in London ‘...the glass situation over there is very bad, I found I could get no flesh colour...and no likelihood of getting any for months...I am going to try Belgium now but when will one get the glass from there!’ (22 October 1947, 2pp). Refers to the design of the windows and remarks ‘I do hope I shall do windows which will please you, I agree with you that the symbols should be clear and intelligible to the students...’ (25 March 1948, 2pp). Apologises for the incorrect amount quoted for the windows ‘...I never trust my own calculations about square ft so I get them checked over by a business man and friend of mine...I am afraid to say I muddled up what he wrote out for me...’ (18 October 1948, 2pp). Refers to the finished design and remarks ‘I am so very glad you like the windows and feel they express what you need in the chapel.’ (15 October 1948, 3pp).

A file relating to formation, order of time, customs, discipline amongst the Jesuit Juniors at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin. Includes correspondence between Irish Fr Provincial and Fr Rector.

Letters from publishers Browne Nolan Ltd. to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ, agreeing to publish his book 'The Reform of the Medieval Irish Church', ‘which, if it will not be a best seller, should certainly enjoy a reasonable sale on publication and a continuing, if limited, demand for many years.’ They are also interested in ‘your short History of the Irish Medieval Church but since Methuens have invited you to write it you may possibly feel some obligation towards them, even though, as you say, you have not yet made a contract.’ Includes summary of book ‘Offered to Browne and Nolan: c.300 pages: to be ready for press in autumn of 1950; to be published in autumn of 1951’ (14 February 1949, 1p.).

Correspondence with Dr John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin (mainly holograph letters from the Archbishop and copies of Irish Fr Provincial’s replies) on various matters. Includes letters concerning :

• information for the Commission established to ‘investigate and report upon the existence and title of all collections for pious purposes in the Diocese of Dublin’;
• the supply of Altar wine to the Society;
• the appointment of Fr Thomas Counihan SJ to the Commission on Youth Unemployment;
• his request ‘not to use candles at the end of Retreats and Missions during the present war-circumstances’;
• the death of various Jesuits including Frs [Thomas Counihan], Michael Kirwan, James Tomkin, Laurence J. Kieran (former Provincial) and Vincent Byrne;
• circular comprising the decisions of the 1942 October Meeting of the Hierarchy;
• 1944 Decree concerning the education of Catholics in non-Catholic Schools, Colleges or Universities of the Dublin Diocese (See also ADMN/3/38);
• the proposed visit of Fr Adelard Dugré SJ, ‘formerly an Assistant of our late Father General and now an Assistant of our Father Vicar General’ to Ireland and his appointment with the Archbishop;
• the granting of diocesan faculties to various Jesuits and the results of diocesan examinations;
• the ‘Solemn Votive mass’ to be celebrated in the Pro-Cathedral on 25 June 1945 on the occasion of the Inauguration of the President, Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh (See also ADMN/3/59 and 76);
• copies of letters concerning the Archbishop’s instructions as to the ‘attitude to be adopted in regard to the strike declared by the Central Executive Committee of the Irish National Teachers’ Organization’ and the restoration of ‘normal conditions’ in the schools following the Teachers’ Strike;
• the collection by secondary schools of used clothing ‘for the very destitute young people of Europe, especially the Catholics of Hungary’;
• the answers of the Milltown Theological Faculty to certain questions posed ‘concerning the question of defining as a dogma of the Faith the doctrine that the Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed bodily into Heaven’;
• statistical reports on the Society in Ireland required for the ‘Relatio Status’ of the Archbishop to the Holy See and for the Annuario Pontificio;
• the appointment of Fr Thomas Counihan SJ to conduct the Thirty Days’ Exercises at Holy Cross College, Clonliffe in October 1947 and September 1948;
• proposals to purchase Churchtown House, Dundrum for use as a secondary school and the alternative plan to build a school on grounds adjoining Milltown Park (See also 1950s correspondence with Archbishop McQuaid);
• the institution of the ‘Tribunal for the Ordinary Informative Process in the Cause of the Beatification and Canonisation of the Servant of God, John Sullivan, Priest of your Society’ (24 October 1947, 1p.) (See also ADMN/3/24; 48 and 49);
• the purchase of Baymount Castle, Dollymount for use as a Retreat House (Manresa House) (See also ADMN/3/6 and 74) and
• letter of condolence following the fire at Milltown Park in 1949 (11 February 1949, 1p.).

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Dom Aelred Watkin, Downside School, Bath, on:
– various documents, including: copy of extracts ‘from a fourteenth century list of the Glastonbury muniments (Marquis of Bath’s MS
f. 54)…they may be of interest to scholars of Irish medieval history’ (2 March 1950, 3pp);
– Irish connections with Glastonbury;
– a paper Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ suggested on the sermons of St Caesarius of Arles and the Monastic Tradition, for publication in the Downside Review (May 1950, 2 items).

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Neville Hadcock asking Fr Gwynn to participate in the proposed volume, 'Medieval Religious Houses: Ireland'… ‘that is, if I do the sort of donkey work and prepare lists, by counties in the first place, with ref(erence)s of all recorded monasteries marking those in doubt, as I complete a county I could pass it on to you to weed.’ (24 September 1953, 4pp).

Material relating to Fr Patrick G Kennedy SJ including correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and memorandum of agreement for the publication of 'Birds of Ireland' by P.G. Kennedy SJ, Robert F. Ruttledge and C.F. Scroope.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from John Durkan, Glasgow, and others associated with the 'Innes Review', relating to Fr Gwynn’s 1940 article ‘Ireland and the English Nation at the Council of Constantine’ in 'Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy'; connections between the Scottish and Irish historical research communities; the 'Innes Review' (asking if Fr Gwynn would like to contribute any articles); Fr Gwynn’s research on Scottish Benedictines in Germany and his 1952 articles on the Irish at Wúrzburg in the Middle Ages.

Letters from publishers, the Clarendon Press, Oxford, to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ, concerning the possibility of a reprint of his 1940 book 'The English Austin Friars in the Time of Wyclif'. Includes Fr Gwynn’s copy of book.

Letter from publishers the Clarendon Press, Oxford to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ on his proposed book on the history of the early Irish Church.

Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Bishop Theodor Kramer, Würzburg, on sending Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ a paper on the Cult of St. Killian (3pp). Includes copy of Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ review of 'New Light on St. Killian' by J. Dienemann (Würzburg, 1955) the 'Irish Ecclesiastical Record', 1957 (88, pp.1–16) ).

Correspondence concerning Madame Regina Łukasiewicz’s accusations of the theft of her late husband’s papers by Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ and Prof. E. O'Doherty of U.C.D. (her late husband was Jan Łukasiewicz, Professor of Mathematical Logic at the Royal Irish Academy (a special professorship) ). Madame Łukasiewicz was suffering from ‘paranoid psychosis with delusions of persecution’ and was admitted to St Vincent’s Private Mental Home for a number of weeks until Fr Gwynn helped to arrange her removal to the house of her nephew in England. The papers had in actual fact, been deposited by herself in the R.I.A. Library in 1956. Documents include:

• copies of letters sent by Madame Łukasiewicz to the Taoiseach and the Commissioner of the Gardai stating her case and seeking help with living expenses and the return of her husband’s manuscripts (15 and 18 July 1957, 2 items, 2pp each);
• letter from the Slavic Assistant in Rome to Irish Fr Provincial Michael O'Grady SJ (8 December 1957, 2pp);
• statement of Fr Gwynn made for the Provincial explaining his ‘connection with the sad history of Madame Regina Łukasiewicz’ (11 December 1957, 4pp);
• statements of Dr Mary Sullivan and Dr John Malone on the mental health Madame Lukasiewicza (13, 16 December 1957, 4pp);
• statement by Dr Farrington, Librarian and Assistant Secretary, R.I.A. (13 December 1957, 1p.);
• copy of statement made by solicitor Arthur Cox ‘acting as Madame Lukasiewicza’s legal advisor’ for the Provincial (16 December 1957, 1p.);
• letter to Fr Gwynn from Fr Stanislaus Wawryn SJ (Polish Provincial) (23 December 1957, 1p.);
• letter to the Provincial from the Society’s Curia in Rome (26 December 1957, 1p.);
• copy of letter of Taoiseach Éamon de Valera to Fr Gwynn on the matter, in which he states ‘I know that since Prof. and Madame Lukasiewicz came here you have been one of their kindest friends…I regret very much that you should be subject to the annoyance which these charges cause you; and I would be glad to assist in any way in making it known, to any one who may be concerned, that I regard these charges as altogether without foundation and, indeed, in the circumstances, as outrageous’ (30 December 1957, 1p.).

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Dr. Gearóid MacNiocaill concerning their mutual academic interests. Includes: - references to MacNiocaill’s proposed thesis on the history of the Cistercians in Ireland;

• the reproduction of documents of the Citeaux Abbey preserved in Dijon;
• Abbot Stephen of Lexington and copy of a note by MacNiocaill on the placename ‘Aranea’ (the site of a Cistercian Abbey in County Down) to be published in the 'Bulletin of the Ulster Place-Name Society' (1955, 3pp) and
• list of dates attributed to Irish Cistercian houses (11 June 1957, 2 items).

Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from A. Vernet, Paris, with reference to the sacramentaries listed by Léopold Victor Delisle in his Catalogue of manuscripts in French libraries.

Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from William O'Sullivan (Keeper of Manuscripts, T.C.D. Library) containing extract from the Dowth Missal from Archbishop Ussher’s notebook.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from John Eric Colledge of the English Language Department, University of Liverpool, on his academic publications and research, including his proposal to lecture in U.C.D. on St. Nicholas of Flüe, an ‘illiterate contemplative.’

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from various priests and academics (mostly Fr Andrew Gray, St Hugh’s Charterhouse, Horsham, Sussex) concerning the discovery in the Public Record Office, of a foundation charter of a Carthusian charterhouse in Ireland at Kinaleghin (Kinalahan, Kinalekin or Kilnaleghin) by John de Cogan in 1267; and the publication of Fr Gray’s resultant article on Kinaleghin. Includes: colour photograph of Fr Gray (13 September 1957);

• postcard of the Library at St Hugh’s Charterhouse;
• postcard of an aerial view of St. Hugh’s Charterhouse and a letter to Fr Gwynn from Fr Bruno Sullivan of St Hugh’s, following Fr Gray’s death (5 February 1968, 2pp).

Notes and letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from various academics including Dr Jocelyn Otway-Ruthven, Prof Jim Lydon (Professor of History, T.C.D.) and Dr Ludwig Bieler, relating to the [Irish Manuscripts Commission]. Includes: carbon copy of a ‘Report on Manuscripts of Irish Interest in Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg’ by Dr Ludwig Bieler (August 1957, 11pp).

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Peter Wait of Methuen & Co. Ltd., concerning their acceptance of his proposal to write a book on the history of the medieval Irish Church. Includes amended copy plan of chapters of the proposed book, sent to Methuen by Fr Gwynn entitled 'The Reform of the Medieval Irish Church' (n.d., 7pp). There is some disagreement about the type of book it should be. Fr Gwynn expressed his wish to gather his essays from the 'Irish Ecclesiastical Record' and rewrite them to make a single connected story, however Mr. Wait wants a similar book but ‘on a good deal less detailed scale’ (13 January 1953, 2pp). Includes letters from Françoise Henry, U.C.D., to Fr Gwynn, offering to speak to the publishers on Fr Gwynn’s behalf (5, 23 February 1962, 2 items, 2pp each) and the publisher’s letter to Fr Gwynn following (Prof.) Henry’s conversation with them, “I would like a book, and I don’t insist on a ‘text book.’ I would like something that the educated person without specialised knowledge of the subject can read and which would be useful to students as well.” (19 February 1962, 1p.)

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Monsignor Professor John Tracy Ellis (Secretary of the American Catholic Historical Association and Editor of the 'Catholic Historical Review'), on academic matters, including:
– the difficulties of gaining access to contemporary religious archives;
– ideas on academic exchanges between Ireland and the Unites States, ‘for scholarship, professors etc.’;
– the commemoration of the 1,500th anniversary of the death of St. Patrick;
– information on new American church historical publications;
– Fr Gwynn’s review of Mgr. Tracy Ellis’s 1952 'The Life of James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore 1834 - 1921' in 'Studies';
– financial difficulties of the Catholic University of America;
– the Monsignor’s lecturing activities;
– a proposed three-volume history of the Church in Ireland;
– comments on ‘the prospect of a Catholic in the White House’ (10 November 1960, 1p.);
– a proposed series of lectures in Dublin as part of the Patrician centennial celebration and the acquisition of copies of several letters of Archbishop Carroll in the Jesuit Archives.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Fr B. Colmcille, O.C.S.O., Mellifont Abbey, County Louth, concerning his research work and various publications, such as his book on the history of Mellifont ('The Story of Mellifont') and the Cistercians ('The History of the Irish Cistercians'). Also includes discussions on the literary activities of the medieval Cistercians in Ireland; the history of the abbey, especially its origins and possible connections to a small community at Drogheda (St Mary’s); archaeological excavations at Mellifont; his paper on the lands of St Mary’s Abbey, Co. Dublin and the preparation of maps. (There is a copy of the book 'The Story of Mellifont' (M.H. Gill & Son, 1958) signed by Fr Colmcille for Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ, in the house Library in Leeson Street)

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning Fr Arthur Cox, who died in Zambia on 11 June 1965 following a car crash. Includes: letter from Fr Cox to Fr Gwynn describing how Fr Cox is settling in to his new life in Monze and learning new languages (21 December 1964, 2pp);
– letter from Bishop James Corboy SJ with reference to Fr Cox (23 February 1965, 1p) (see also J10/18);
– letter from Fr Frank O'Neill SJ describing the circumstances of Fr Cox’s death (16 June 1965, 3pp);
– letter from Bishop Corboy following the first anniversary of Fr Cox’s death (17 June 1966, 1p.). Includes ordination and memorial card of Fr Cox.

Aubrey Gwynn and Arthur Cox at UCD together.

Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from publishers the Clarendon Press, Oxford, concerning Russell & Russell’s reissuing of 'Roman Education'. ‘As he says in his letter of 29 January 1964 a loophole in the Unites States copyright law enables books published here (UK) before 1957 to be reprinted there (US) without authorisation – though not to be exported into countries where this loophole doesn’t exist. Naturally he didn’t say that practically all American publishers regard it as unethical to take advantage of this loophole, for various reasons, and especially because it is liable to create the situation in which we now find ourselves.’

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Liam Ó Buachalla, Cork, relating to the history of the diocese of Cork and Cloyne; - the Uí Toirdhealbhaigh ‘the subsept to which Brian Ború, the Ua hEnna’s and Ua hAailgenis belonged’;

• the O Sealbhaig family and numerous other points with regard to Fr Gwynn’s article ‘Bishop of Cork in the Twelfth Century’ in the Irish Ecclesiastical Record (July 1950);
  his work helping ‘to edit a voluminous…(manuscript)…History of Diocese of Cork left by the late Canon Cahalane’;
• the history of Cloyne from the ninth to the eleventh centuries;
• Nehemias, Bishop of Cloyne who died in 1149;
• the Arrouaisians in Cork (see also J10/153; 195; 227; 228).
  Encloses typescript notes by Ó Buachalla entitled ‘Diocese of Cloyne’ (n.d., 4pp).

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Edward Schofield (Department of Manuscripts, British Museum) on his publications about England and Basel, with references to ‘the difficult matter of the succession to Irish sees’ and a proposed trip by Fr Gwynn to London.

Letters from publishers the Clarendon Press, Oxford, to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ on a proposal by publishers W. Heffer & Sons, Ltd. to reprint Fr Gwynn’s 1920 book 'Roman Education from Cicero to Quintilian'. Includes letters to Fr Gwynn from Heffers (30 June 1956 – 15 July 1960, 3 items), royalty statements from Clarendon Press (1969, 1971, 2 items) and copy of 'Roman Education from Cicero to Quintilian'.

Letters and postcards to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Fr Robert E. McNally SJ (Munich University, Woodstock College, Maryland and Fordham University, New York), mostly concerning Fr McNally’s research and publishing work, including ‘a new edition of the Pseudo-Isidore, Liber de numeris, which we suspect to be certainly a product of early Irish scholarship.’

Photocopies of an obituary and appreciation of Fr Aubrey Gwynn’s brother, Denis.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Dr George Maguire concerning his late brother Conor, and a Fr Peter Golding, an Irish teacher at Clongowes Wood College (Dr. Maguire went to Clongowes from 1902 to 1907; Fr Gwynn from 1903 to 1908). Fr Richard Golding SJ taught Irish at CWC. Dr Maguire writes that his father taught Fr Golding Irish when he was living in Cong.

Letters from Alice Gwynn to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ following the death of her husband (Fr Gwynn's brother Denis). Includes descriptions of Alice's mother, Hazel Martyn (Lady Lavery) (10 May 1971, 8pp).

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial Cecil McGarry SJ to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Fr Gwynn’s entrance into the Society of Jesus.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Prof F.X. Martin, O.S.A. (Department of Medieval History, U.C.D.) introducing Dr Michael Richter, (Department of Welsh History, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth) and letter from Dr Richter to Fr Gwynn concerning his edition of the ‘Canterbury Professions.’ Includes:
– reprint from 'The Downside Review' of Richter’s article 'Archbishop Lanfranc and the Canterbury Primacy' – Some Suggestions (Vol. 90, No. 299, April 1972, p.110 – 118);
– photocopies of ‘the relevant pages’ of 'Canterbury Professions', (1973);
– partial draft of Dr Richter’s manuscript on Church Reform in Britain and Ireland after the Conquest ([1969], p.29 – 78 and appendices and footnotes).

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from the Placenames Division of the Ordnance Survey, Phoenix Park, supplying information on the placenames and boundaries of the diocese of Dublin.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from William O'Sullivan (Keeper of Manuscripts, T.C.D. Library) concerning the palaeography of the ‘Christ Church Book of Obits’ and the ‘C.C. Martyrology.’

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from H. George Fletcher, Director of Fordham University Press, concerning Fr Gwynn’s efforts in providing the publishers with ‘a photograph of the Burke portrait…for Professor Hoffman’s The Marquis’ and their gift of certain books to the library in Milltown Park.

Letters and royalty statements from publishers Russell & Russell Inc., New York, who reissued 'Roman Education' in 1964. ‘As you know, the book has never been protected by copyright in the United States and is, therefore, in the public domain in this country. Nevertheless, it is our practice as a courtesy to the author to pay a royalty on all copies sold.’ (29 January 1964, 1p.)

Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Irish Provincial Cecil McGarry SJ following Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ's request that Fr McGarry censor his book on the history of the Irish Church in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, something Fr McGarry thinks is unnecessary.

Photocopies of articles from the Irish Times, by Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ on William Smith O'Brien (17, 18 July 1974, 2pp). Includes letter published in the paper by W. Smith O'Brien (father of Blanche Touhill) on Fr Gwynn’s articles (27 August 1974, 1p.) and letter from W. Smith O'Brien to Fr Gwynn (8 September 1974, 1p.).

Letters from publishers, the Clarendon Press, Oxford to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning his latest book which their Delegates say needs complete revision – ‘the book is not strictly a unified history but a series of disconnected and overlapping studies, which have been published separately already except for chapters XIII and XIV. They have much interest for specialists in the subjects concerned, though not for the general reader or for undergraduates.’

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Richard Southern (Balliol College, All Souls College and St. John’s College Oxford), on various academic and personal matters, including the arrangements for Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ to lecture at Oxford in March 1962.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning his friend Fr Matthias Bodkin SJ. Includes letter of condolence written to Fr Gwynn following Fr Bodkin’s death in 1973, from Mrs Brigid Hardwick, Stonyhurst College, Lancashire (4 November 1973, 4pp) and Alan Denson.

Letters and cards of congratulation to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ on the 50th anniversary of his ordination on 13 July 1974. Includes:
– letters from various Columban sisters invited to attend the Golden Jubilee celebrations (15 July -3 August 1964, 7 items);
– letter of congratulation from Fr General Pedro Arrupe SJ (2 July 1974, 1p.);
– letters from Alice Moore (Fr Gwynn’s sister-in-law) (22, 31 July 1974, 2 items) (see also J10/20; 21; 51);
– letter from Fr Thomas J. Fullerton (see J10/15) (27 July 1974, 2pp);
– letters from various Jesuits (including Frs Des O'Grady, E.J. Andrews, John Neary and Fergus Cronin) and letter from Prof. Geoffrey Hand (30 July 1974, 2pp).
See also J10/31; 49; 68; 256; 257.

Information on Fr Aubrey Gwynn’s great-grandfather’s cousin, John Gwynne (1754 – 1828/9), founder of a ‘charitable endowment Institution, Derry.’ Includes letters from the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland to Fr Gwynn (30 June, 8 July 1975, 2 items. 1p. each) and note given to Fr Gwynn by Archbishop George Simms (July 1974, 1p.) (John Gwynne bequeathed a large sum of money to found a charitable endowment in Derry known as the Gwynne Institution, for the education of boys whose parents could not afford to give them a suitable education. The money was to be distributed equally among Protestants and Catholics. (from Burke’s Irish Family Records, 19[74], p. 53) )

Photocopy of a paper by Prof Blanche Touhill on ‘William Smith O'Brien and the Principles of Young Ireland.’

Letters from Fr Aubrey Gwynn’s first cousins, Arthur Montague Gwynn, New South Wales, Australia and Edward Harold Gwynn, Gloucester, England, written in response to Fr Gwynn’s request for genealogical information as part of his research on the history of the Gwynn family (24 July 1974 – 17 April 1975, 3 items).

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Prof. Nancy Pollard Brown, (Professor of English, Trinity College, Washington) and Dr Peter Beal, concerning a seventeenth-century transcript of Robert Southwell’s 'Rule of Good Life' in Milltown Park, Dublin.

File of material relating to Fr Daniel Donnelly SJ, taken from the Mission Office, 28 Upper Sherrard St (12 July 2011). Includes passport
photographs of Frs Daniel and Leo Donnelly; personal record; document entitled ‘The Irish Jesuit Mission in Hong Kong: A retrospect’ by Fr Donnelly from the Irish Ecclesiastical Record (1937); and correspondence between Fr Donnelly and Fr Thomas J. Martin SJ Mission Office, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Longmans Group Ltd. (formerly Longmans Green & Co. Ltd.) concerning the publication of 'Medieval Religious Houses: Ireland' by Fr Gwynn and Neville Hadcock. Includes copy of the agreement between the publishers and Fr Gwynn for the book signed on the company’s behalf (6 November 1953, 4pp).

Copy of monograph by Prof. Blanche Touhill on ‘The Poetry of an Exile, William Smith O'Brien 1849 - 1956’

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from the Librarians of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Scotland concerning the medical career of his grandfather’s brother, William Gwynn, MD.

Letters from various academics and clergy to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ mainly informing him of additional sources of information concerning his research on the Irish in the West Indies in the seventeenth century. Includes:

• letter from Fr Gwynn’s father, Stephen Lucius Gwynn ([c1929], 2pp);
• letters from Fr John MacErlean SJ (12 October 1929 – 28 May 1931, 6 items);
• correspondence between Fr John MacErlean SJ, Mr Ambrose A. Kelly and Fr Gwynn concerning a manuscript originally thought to be in the possession of ‘the late Mr. Reddin, who…had been employed by the Foreign Office for a number of years making searches and reports amongst the archives in Spain’ (9 - 25 June 1931, 4 items);
• letters from James Alexander Williamson, author of 'English in Guiana' (3,14 March 1932, 2 items);
• letter from Fr Michael McGrath SJ (5 December 1936, 1p.) and
• ‘Montserrat: “The Most Distinctively Irish Settlement in the New World”, by John C. Messenger, 'Ethnicity 2', 281-303. (1975).

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Fr Patrick J. Dunning, C.M. (President of St. Patrick’s College, Armagh). Includes:

• letter seeking information on St Malachy for an article Fr Dunning wishes to write in the school magazine and expressing surprise at the apparent lack of interest, on the part of the Irish, in St Malachy (18 January 1973, 2pp);
• letter seeking information for a lecture he is going to give to the London Medieval Society on ‘The attitude of the Irish Church to the Norman Invasion’ (13 November 1974, 3pp);
• letter on his brother Tom’s ‘valuable collection on Old and Middle English Literature’ which has been offered to U.C.D.. Includes a memorial card of Prof. Thomas P. Dunning, C.M. who died in 4 May 1973.

Also includes references to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ ‘presenting to U.C.D.’ his ‘most valuable card-index on Irish Medieval History, together with your most valuable correspondence with distinguished scholars. I am sure the History Department will be delighted with this generous presentation’ (23 July 1975, 2pp). (Inquiries to the Archives Department, U.C.D. in February 1998 revealed that no such presentation was made, either to the Library, History or Archive Departments in U.C.D.)

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from various academics and archivists (including Marcus Bourke, Kevin B. Nowlan (History Dept. U.C.D.), Prof. Geoffrey Hand and Breandan Mac Giolla Choille (Keeper of State Papers, S.P.O., Dublin) ) and Prof. Blanche Touhill, Associate Dean of Faculties, University of Missouri–St. Louis) regarding Fr Gwynn’s research on William Smith O'Brien his great-grandfather.

Letter from Stephen Kuttner (President of the Institute of Medieval Canon Law, School of Law, University of California, Berkeley, California) to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ, a ‘Corresponding Member’ of the Institute, informing him that the ‘appointment of Corresponding Members should henceforth be understood as made for a period of five years…’

Correspondence relating to Fr Aubrey Gwynn’s life-long friend Fr Thomas J. Fullerton. Includes:
– letters from Fr Fullerton to Fr Gwynn (17 September 1971 – 1975, 3 items);
– note to Fr Gwynn from Gearoid Cr[ookes], Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2, following Fr Fullerton’s death in 1976, enclosing four letters Fr Gwynn wrote to Fr Fullerton from 1916 and 1932. Includes references to Fr Gwynn’s brother Edward Lucius’ departure for Australia, his brother Denis (a soldier who had just been gazetted to the 5th Munsters at the Curragh) (18 November 1916, 4pp), political and social events at home and academic life in U.C.D. (16 April 1932, 2pp).

Letter from James White, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning his sister, Mrs. Sheila Moorehead’s offer or a portrait of her brother, Denis to the Gallery.

Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from James White, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, concerning the acquisition from a Mr Stewart Thomson, of a ‘sketchbook of the work of Hugh Thomson, the Belfast artist who illustrated Stephen Gwynn’s well-known book on Donegal.’

Letters to Prof Ludwig Bieler from various critics and editors associated with the 'Scriptores Latini Hiberniae' series and other academics, concerning the series and Prof. Bieler’s writings, especially the question of the publisher’s financial difficulties and the proposed collaboration between the Institute for Advanced Studies and the British Academy in the publishing of the series.

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Dr Michael Browne, Bishop of Galway. Refers to an unpublished paper by Fr Gwynn on ‘Galway and Kilmacduagh,’ the Canons Regular of St Augustine, the Church of St Nicholas and its wardenship and a proposal to confer an honorary degree on Neville Hadcock. Includes note by Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ on the Dr Browne correspondence (22 July 1976, 1p.)

Letter from Brian Trainor, Director of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ, enclosing ‘a few references which I came across in our card index some of which might be of interest,’ concerning Gwynn family genealogy.

Letter from Robin Gwynn, New Zealand (Fr Gwynn’s first cousin once removed, on his father’s side) to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ, concerning the future custodian of the Gwynn family papers (i.e. who should it be and where should the papers be kept). At the time Mercy Simms was the custodian.

Note from Rev. Eric Fair, Larne, to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ containing the inscription on the font in the Church in Larne, commemorating the Rev. Stephen Gwynn (Fr Gwynn’s great-grandfather) and his wife Mary (Stevenson), erected by his children and family in 1878.