Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1874-2008 (Creation)
Level of description
Subfonds
Extent and medium
4 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
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.
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.
Repository
Archival history
Material collected by Irish Jesuits.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
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
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
All items retained permanently.
Accruals
System of arrangement
Material was catalogued in 1999, with some additions in 2009 and 2013.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
The Irish Jesuit Archives are open only to bona fide researchers. Access by advance appointment. Further details: [email protected]
Conditions governing reproduction
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.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Grimley, Liam. ‘A Jesuit Novitiate’, Jesuit Year Book, pp44-53, 1959.
Publication note
Kilfeather, T. P. ‘Life in the Jesuit novitiate’, Jesuit Year Book, pp48-58, 1956.
Publication note
Kiely, Benedict. 'There was an Ancient House', Methusen and Co Ltd, London, 1955.
Publication note
King SJ, Fr Henry. ‘The new novitiate’, Irish Jesuit Directory and Year Book, pp195-197, 1931.
Publication note
O'Sullivan SJ, Fr Donal. ‘Inside the noviceship’, pp20-28, Jesuit Year Book, 1955.
Publication note
O'Donnell SJ, Fr Eddie. 'Father Browne’s Laois'. Messenger Publications, 2012.
Publication note
O'Sullivan SJ, Fr Donal. “Me a Jesuit?” Well, why not?, Jesuit Year Book, pp128-135, 1954.
Publication note
O'Sullivan SJ, Fr Donal. ‘Have I a Vocation?,’ Jesuit Year Book, pp26-37, 1958.
Publication note
Symondson SJ, Fr Anthony. ‘A Miraculous Survival: Emo Court’, Irish Arts Review, 1996
Publication note
Laois education Centre. Booklet on Emo Court
www.laoisedcentre.ie/Dreamemo/Projectwork/!Booklet%20A4_pages.pdf
Publication note
St Mary's, Emo, 'Irish Jesuit Directory and Year Book', p139, 1934.
Publication note
Scantlebury SJ, Fr Charles. 'The Jesuit Houses in Ireland', 'Irish Jesuit Directory and Year Book', pp164-165, 1944.
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- St Mary's, Emo, Laois, 1930-1969 (Subject)