Burke's Irish family records.
One copy has the inscription 'Ex Libris C.D.C.H. Emo Court', with the signature of Cholmeley Dering Cholmeley-Harrison, and 'Gift from C.D.C.H. Emo Court', with signature.

Chronology of the history of Emo Court, County Laois, taken from an article by Anthony Symondson SJ entitled 'A Miraculous Survival: Emo Court', published in the Irish Arts Review.

Letter from the Earl of Portarlington to Dr Charles Russell thanking him for a photograph and a hymn. Refers to the construction of the church at Maynooth.

Custom book of the novitiate of the Irish Jesuit Province (Same as IE IJA ADMN/17/2). No annotation but extra Appendix.

Custom book of the novitiate of the Irish Jesuit Province, with annotations.

Account book of the Irish Jesuit Province. Includes an alphabetical index.

A file relating to correspondence of bequests made to Irish Fr Provincial regarding the Hong Kong and China missions.

• Perpetual burse in memory of Fr WM. Doyle SJ in the new seminary in Hong Kong (1936);
• Perpetual burse in memory of Fr Walsh SJ in Hong Kong (1936);
• Memorial burse in memory of Fr Fegan SJ in China (1936);
• List of burse money for the education of Chinese Jesuits (13 September 1940);
• Statement of accounts for quarter the Ricci Mission Unit (1 July - 30 September 1943).

A file relating to army chaplains. Includes letters and memoranda relating to the non-payment of their salaries to the Hong Kong mission. Includes extracts from letters by Fr Matthias Bodkin SJ, a naval chaplain concerning news of the Irish Jesuits in Hong Kong.

Postcards of Emo Court - both of the same image - addressed to Fr Fergus O'Keefe SJ.

'A Man who took Christ at his Word' and 'Life and letters of Fr Michael Browne SJ' by Fr Thomas Hurley SJ.

File containing Fr Brian R Scallan's admission papers and correspondence from his time as curate in the Dublin parishes of Edenmore and Marino.

File containing Richard Maguire's admission papers and correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials relating to retreat and mission work and his time as chaplain at the Royal Hospital of the Incurables, Donnybrook, Dublin.

Emo Court, County Laois was under Jesuit ownership from 1930 until 1969. Now in the hands of the Office of Public Works, the history of Emo dates back to the Earls of Portarlington in the eighteenth century. The first earl, John Dawson, commissioned the building of Emo Court in 1790; it is one of only a few private houses designed by the architect James Gandon. The Portarlington’s sold Emo in 1920 to the Land Commission and the Jesuits purchased the property in 1930, to be used as a novitiate (house of first formation). The Jesuits found Emo in a dilapidated state, with grass growing up through the floorboards. They made significant structural changes in order for it to function as a novitiate rather than as a family home. Many items were removed however they were stored in the basement (fireplace wrapped in blankets). Renowned photographer, Fr Frank Browne SJ, was one of the first Jesuits to take up residence there and he took many photographs of Emo Court.

In 1969, the Jesuits sold Emo to Major Cholmeley Dering Cholmeley-Harrison. He restored the house, sparing no expense, and donated it to the Irish State in 1995. In 2012 the Office of Public Works opened a permanent exhibition on Fr Frank Browne SJ at Emo Court.

The papers of St Mary’s, Emo concern the management of the Emo estate (1900-1995), establishment of the Jesuit community (1928-1930), maintenance, upkeep and expenditure (1931-1970), forestry and the sale of Emo (1969-1970; 1995). There is some material on the Jesuit community (1934-1962) and novitiate (1930-1969) however there is very little in the way of information on individual novices. Material is in the form of handwritten letters, ledgers, architectural plans, maps and photographs.

Rector/Superior of St Mary's, Emo:
Patrick Kenny, Vice-Superior, 31 July 1930;
John Deevy, Vice-Superior, 29 July 1932;
John Deevy, Rector, 7 October 1937;
John Neary, Vice-Rector, 30 July 1944;
Jerome Mahony, Vice-Rector, 30 July 1945;
Thomas Byrne, Rector, 2 June 1947;
Donal O'Sullivan, Rector, 15 August 1947;
Timothy Mulcahy, Rector, 10 October 1959;
Patrick Cusack, Rector, 21 November 1961;
Joseph Dargan, Rector, 26 June 1968;
The noviceship changes to Manresa House, Dollymount, 12 September 1969.

Master of Novices, St Mary's, Emo:
Martin Maher; July 1930;
John Coyne;
John Neary; October 1934
Donal O'Sullivan
Paddy Cusack
Joseph Dargan, 1968-1969

Material relating to William Fitzgerald's admission to the Society, correspondence relating to his move from Emo to Clongowes Wood in 1967, catalogue entries and his death notice.

File relating to the admission of Patrick Guidera to the the Society and his Jesuit life in particular his work at the Jesuit house at Tullabeg. Includes copy of his ‘The Story of My Life’ (199, Cherryfield Press, 80pp) with illustrations from the Fr Frank Browne Collection.

File of material relating to the admission of Michael J Connolly to the Society of Jesus and his subsequent Jesuit life including his time as rector of the Jesuit house at Tullabeg, County Offaly and as Tertian instructor at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, catalogue entries, memorial card and obituary.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial on various matters. Includes letters concerning:
– the creation of a new entrance to Manresa House in Dollymount and the sale of the old gate lodge to the developer of the site (see also ADMN/3/43);
– various Consultors’ opinions with regard to Fr. General’s Letters on The Social Apostolate;
– the Irish Hierarchy’s opinion of the Health Bill of 1952;
– ‘the dangers there is for Catholics to go to Trinity College’ (see also ADMN/3/38);
– copy of a ‘Report of the Jesuit Schools in the Archdiocese of Dublin on the Programme for Religious Instruction in the Primary Schools’ (see also ADMN/3/57);
– a lectureship in mathematical-physics in U.C.D.;
– the requirements for the post of lecturer in Cosmology in U.C.D.;
– the death of Fr James Magan SJ and
– letter and memorandum to the Provincial concerning Latin study in the Novitiate.
Also includes letters from President Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh (see also ADMN/3/59) concerning his audience with the Pope and sending Christmas greetings and copy of Irish Fr Provincial’s reply.

Copy of circular letter sent by the Irish Fr Provincial to Jesuit houses inquiring as to ‘the practice in…(each)…House as regards the serving of whiskey and wine on coffee evenings which are (1) de jure; and (2) ex gratia. Is whiskey allowed on every coffee evening, and what is the quantity of wine permitted to each…is there any special treatment in the refectory for visitors.’ Includes replies to the circular from the Rectors of St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg; Milltown Park; Rathfarnham; Belvedere College; St Ignatius’ College, Galway; Clongowes Wood College, Naas, Co. Kildare; St. Mary’s, Emo Court, Portarlington, County Laois; Sacred Heart College, The Crescent, Limerick; No. 35 Lower Leeson Street; St. Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street and Mungret College, Limerick.

Letters, mostly to Irish Fr Provincial discussing the declining circulation 'An Timire', the Irish Messenger of the Sacred Heart and proposals to issue the magazine on a quarterly, rather than monthly basis.

Letters and circular letters concerning a circular letter from Fr General on economy measures and assisting the poor during the ‘severe economic crisis’. Includes draft of circular letter sent by Irish Fr Provincial to Jesuit houses on ways and means of economising in order to carry out the wishes expressed in Fr General’s letter and replies following House Consultations from Belvedere College; Milltown Park, 35 Lower Leeson Street; St Francis Xavier’s, Upper Gardiner Street; St Ignatius’ College, Galway; S. Stanislaus’ College, Tullamore; Clongowes Wood College, Naas; Sacred Heart College and Mungret College, Limerick and St Mary’s, Emo Court. Also includes circular list of economy measures issued to all houses.

Documents relating to a report prepared by the Irish Fr Provincial for Fr General on the activities of the Irish Province for ‘the promotion of Catholic Action’. Includes covering letter and questionnaire sent out by the Irish Fr Provincial to Jesuit houses and individuals with detailed replies from: St Francis Xavier’s, Upper Gardiner Street; Milltown Park, Dublin; Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin; St Stanislaus’ College, Tullamore; St Mary’s, Emo Court; University Hall, Hatch Street; Belvedere College; Clongowes Wood College; St Ignatius’ College, Galway; Sacred Heart College, Limerick; the editors of the following periodicals: 'Madonna', 'The Messenger of the Sacred Heart', 'An Timire' (The Gaelic Messenger), and 'Studies'. Also includes handwritten draft report entitled ‘The Society of Jesus in Ireland and Catholic Action’ (Summer 1936) and final printed Latin version 'De Actione Catholica in Hibernia'.

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.

File containing ordination papers, biographical material and some letters relating to Fr Brian J Cullen SJ.

A file relating to Fr Eugene A Ward SJ. Includes application to join the Society, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials, catalogue entries, extensive correspondence relating to Fr Ward's work in America.

A file relating to Fr James G Tormey SJ, including application to join the Society, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and catalogue entries.

File relating to Fr Robert Stevenson SJ, including application to join the Society, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials, catalogue entries and memorial card.

File relating to Fr Terence Sheridan SJ, including correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials, catalogue entries, photocopies of newspaper cuttings, and photographs.

Letter from Fr Patrick Joy SJ, St Mary's, Emo, Portarlington to Fr Coyne SJ concerning the sale of Loyola in Hong Kong and Fr Harold Craig SJ and his work in Calcutta.

Letters from Fr Daniel McDonald SJ, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ concerning Chinese language studies for Irish Jesuits bound for the Chinese mission.

File relating to Br John K Rogers SJ, including application to join the Society, catalogue entries, and memorial card.

File relating to Fr Redmond F Roche SJ, including application to join the Society, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials, catalogue entries, memorial card and (57) photographs of Jesuits, on holiday, plays, and outdoor scenes (some of the same photographs are in the papers of Fr William R Prendergast SJ, IE IJA J/365).

A file relating to Fr William R Prendergast SJ, including application to join the Society, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials, catalogue entries, memorial card and an album of black and white photographs (Jesuit life, villa, school and family photographs (1916-1950).

File relating to Fr Thomas J O'Donnell SJ including memorial card, photographs, catalogue entries, application to join the Society and correspondence relating to his time spent in India and at Vatican Radio.

File of materiel relating to Fr Gerard O'Beirne SJ which includes correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and curia, personal record and application to join the Society.

Material relating to Fr John J Neary SJ, including catalogue entry, correspondence regarding his time in Hong Kong and biographical information.

File of correspondence between Fr Robert Nash SJ and Irish Fr Provincials concerning his schedules of missions and retreats, publications, places of residence, donations and issues arising from his articles in the ‘Irish Press’. Also contains the censor’s report on an early pamphlet, ‘Not Yours’ and death notice and obituaries.

Postcard with aerial view of Emo Court, County Laois

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.

A file relating to a proposed new custom book for the novitiate of the Irish Province. Includes two bound copies of the new custom book.

Material relating to Fr Dermot J Murphy SJ which includes correspondence concerning his work in Zambia and his health. Includes black and white passport size photographs, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and curia, personal record and application to join the Society.

Diary of William White as in schoolboy in Mungret College, Limerick. Includes his last entry before leaving to join the Society of Jesus on 3 September 1930 – ‘Fr. Hanrahan Went home on 9 oc Bus I was at 10 oc Mass. Say (sic.) Mrs. Par[le] etc. Mother Paul. Left for Emo at 1.45. Good bye’

Notebook of the Chairman of the Grounds Committee, Emo Park, County Laois. Divided by month, it details the work carried out on the grounds at Emo.

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin to Rector [St Mary's, Emo] concerning books needed by the Australian Province for five scholastics from Hong Kong. Refers also to a Scholastic who wishes now to be a Brother. Asks if the individual must do the Noviceship again. Includes a page with pencil notations.

Material relating to Fr Richard J Kennedy SJ including correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and curia, personal record and application to join the Society.

Material realting to Fr John C Kelly SJ including correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials and the curia (on his work in communciations and the media), personal record and application to join the Society.

Material relating to Br Albert Kelly SJ including letter by Br Kelly to the Irish Fr Provincial and a letter from Fr L. D. Murphy SJ, Loyola Colege, Madras, India (4 September 1950), which details the death Fr Kelly's broter, Ferdinand, and that his father is still alive, aged 86.

Photographs of Fr John Hannon SJ.

A file containing notices to be read in the Refectory and annual proclamations of the Irish Jesuit Province.

A file relating to the revision to the Custom Book of the novitiate of Irish Jesuit Province, including a letter from Fr John J Coyne SJ, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois to the Irish Fr Provincial, with copy of Custom Book.

Biographical information on Br William Glanville SJ and correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials. Includes a photograph of Br William Glanville SJ and Fr Sean Noonan SJ, September 1957, and mortuary card.

Material relating to Fr Gregory Ffrench SJ which includes correspondence concerning his work for the Society throughout his life. Includes notes by Msgr Alfred O'Rahilly on the life of Fr Willie Doyle SJ sent to Fr Ffrench SJ (18 August 1964, 2pp). Includes a letter from Fr Ffrench SJ, Jesuit Retreat Centre, Tullamore, County Offaly to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the closure of Emo. Remarks 'But this dinner for Ours on the 11th? Apart from considerations of poverty, I cannot see that the closing of Emo is any occasion for festivity. After all, Emo is being closed because God does not see fit to bless the Province as at present being run with sufficient vocations to justify keeping it open.' (27 August 1969, 3pp). Includes correspondence concerning his work for the Crusaders of the Blessed Sacrament (1974-1982).

Photocopy of entry in the Irish Province News, October 1950, which describes the death on 27 June 1950 of postulant Mr John Callaghan, who fell on the scullery stairs.

In course of conversation in 2015, between Damien Burke and Jim McCabe, ascertained that John Callaghan carrying delph down the stairs to the basement when he slipped and hit his head.

Group photographs of ‘Vow-men’ at Emo, originally in an album of Fr Redmond Roche SJ'

15 September 1936, l-r: Tony Baggot, Credan O'Higgins, Jimmy Johnston, Barney Murray.

Note by Fr Jerome Mahony SJ, St Mary’s College, Emo, to Br James Barry SJ, relating to the amount of food which should be allowed to individuals on fast days.

Account of the funeral of the Countess of Portarlington, taken from the 'Leinster Express'. Lady Portarlington was buried at Emo Park, Queen’s County (Laois). Includes references to Frs Robert Carbery and William Delaney.

The Countess was buried in the graveyard beside the church, and a memorial to her was also erected in Coolbanagher church by her sister the Duchess of Marlborough.

Book entitled 'There was an Ancient House' by Benedict Kiely, Methusen and Co Ltd, London. A novel where ‘in a country house thirty novices of a religious order are learning a new, strange life, some failing, others succeeding in conforming to the pattern laid down by rule’. Benedict Kiely was a novice at St Mary's, Emo

DVD of images of the grounds of Emo Court by the Office of Public Works.

Photograph of the arm of St Francis Xavier at St Mary’s, Emo on the occasion of the visit of the relics

Newspaper cutting relating the history of Emo Park, County Laois.

Paper copy of photograph of the front façade of Emo Court, taken by the National Trust Archive.

Extract from the will of Mrs Rebecca Teresa Codd, The Grange, Mountmellick bequeathing a number of items to the Irish Province including five oak bookcases and the books contained in them to Emo (The bookcases are in Clongowes Wood College SJ, 2020).

Letter from Fr Charles O'Connor SJ, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare to Fr Joseph Dargan SJ, Rector, St Mary's, Emo describing how the Society became beneficiaries in the will of Rebecca Codd and the items that were left to the Society in her will.

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial Cecil McGarry SJ to Fr Joseph Dargan SJ, Rector, St Mary's, Emo thanking him for sending Fr O'Connor's letter regarding the Codd bequest. Remarks that he is going to offer the library, the portraits and the bust to Clongowes Wood College.

Photocopy of an article by Anthony Symondson SJ entitled 'A Miraculous Survival: Emo Court', published in the Irish Arts Review.

Colour print depicting Mary of Emo and Jesus, her Son.

Photograph of Fr Donal O'Sullivan SJ and novices in class at St Mary’s College, Emo.

Photographs of Frs Robert Tyndall, Donal O'Sullivan, Brendan Brennan and Robert Nash at St Mary’s, Emo on the occasion of the visit of relics of Saint Francis Xavier.

Photograph of Michael Paul Gallagher SJ and family at St Mary’s College, Emo.

Sacristan's manual for St Mary's, Emo, County Laois.

Letter from Rome, granting permission to the Society of Jesus to allow members of the public to attend Mass at St Mary's, Emo.

Letter from [ ], St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin to Fr Superior concerning a change in duties for Frs. P. Kennedy and Robert Tyndall.

Letter from Patrick Cusack SJ, St Mary's, Emo, Portlaoise, County Laois to Irish Fr Provincial accepting an invitation to dinner. Discusses noviceship matters.

Sacristan's manual for St Mary's, Emo, County Laois.

Blank invitation card from St Mary's, Emo.

Sacristan's manual for St Mary's, Emo, County Laois.

Volume of Panegyrics written in Irish and English.

Letter from Fr Donal O'Sullivan SJ, La Retraite, Western Road, Cork to Irish Fr Provincial welcoming the Emo community to visit Tullabeg.

Extract of a letter from Irish Fr Provincial to Fr John Neary SJ (Rector), St Mary's, Emo concerning a site for a cemetery in Emo. Remarks, 'I...have come to the conclusion that on the rare occasions of deaths in Emo, the interment should take place in Tullabeg.'

Letter from Fr Jerome Mahony SJ, St Mary's, Emo to Irish Fr Provincial agreeing to carry out instructions from Irish Fr Provincial concerning the statue of the Sacred Heart and Fr Calter's books.

Sacristan's manual for St Mary's, Emo, County Laois.

Beadle's journal for St Mary's, Emo. The Beadle was the head novice and kept a record of the daily activities of the novices. The Beadle was normally appointed for a three month period. A list of beadles is given on inside page. In the English Province the Beadle was known as the Novice's Porter.

Letter from Fr John J. Coyne SJ, St Mary's, Emo to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the order of time in the novitiate, St Mary's, Emo.

Letter from Fr John J. Coyne SJ, St Mary's, Emo to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the teaching of Irish in the novitiate, St Mary's, Emo.

Letter from Fr Rupert Coyle SJ, Belvedere College, Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial explaining the requirements for matriculation.

Note stating that Brothers, after taking their vows, are not to read newspapers.

Copy letter from Irish Fr Provincial Brendan Barry SJ to Kevin [ ] accepting him into the Jesuit novitiate of St Mary's, Emo.

Advertisement for the sale of Emo Park, County Laois by Jackson-Stops and McCabe, Auctioneers, Valuers and Estate Agents, 8 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Includes black and white interior and exterior photographs.

Letter from Thomas H. Bacon, Solicitor, 9 Clare Street, Dublin 2 to Fr William Dargan SJ, 87 Eglinton Road, Dublin 4 concerning a draft contract for the sale of Emo Park.

Apportionment account between the Jesuit Fathers and Cholmeley Harrison (purchaser of Emo).

Letter from Thomas H. Bacon, solicitor, 9 Clare Street, Dublin 2 to Rev William Dargan SJ, 87 Eglinton Road, Dublin 4 concerning interest due to the Jesuit Fathers following the sale of St Mary's, Emo.

Details of Solicitor's fees to the Jesuit fathers in respect of the sale of St Mary's Emo.

Circular letter sent to an individual accepting him into the novitiate in St Mary's Emo.

Letter from Thomas Bacon, Solicitor, 9 Clare Street, Dublin 2 to Fr William Dargan SJ, 87 Eglinton Road, Dublin 4 concerning the sale of St Mary's, Emo.

Circular letter sent to a prospective novice's parents seeking an assurance that their son has their 'consent...and blessing.' Enquires about the ability of the parents to contribute to the upkeep of their son in the novitiate.

Letter from Laurence J. McCabe, Jackson-Stops and McCabe, Auctioneers, Valuers and Estate Agents, 8 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 to Fr William Dargan SJ, 85 Eglinton Road, Dublin 4 concerning items to be included in the sale of Emo. Includes the list of items.

Transcript of Mr Cholmeley Harrison's interview for RTE's programme on Emo. Cholmeley Harrison purchased Emo Park from the Jesuits.

A file of printed lists of clothing required by each novice for St Mary's, Emo and previous to this, for St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly.

Copy letter from Irish Fr Provincial, 85 Eglinton Road, Dublin 4 to the parents of a prospective novice informing them of their son's acceptance into the novitiate.

Novitiate order of time for St Mary's, Emo.

Report by J. A. Kenny and Partners, Consulting Engineers, 44 Kildare Street, Dublin on the heating, water and electrical services in St Mary's, Emo, County Laois.