Rathfarnham Castle: A history. by Louise Walsh.

In 1913, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) purchased the 16th century-built Rathfarnham Castle from a Dublin building company, Bailey and Gibson. Initially, the plan was for a noviciate for Jesuit novices and in time, for working men’s retreats to be established at the Castle. However, by September 1913, this had changed to a house of studies for those Jesuits attending university. This decision was made following the change of regulations to the National University requiring students to attend lectures whereas previously they could be prepared for examinations elsewhere. The Jesuit Juniors as they were known would live at the Castle and cycle to lectures at University College Dublin, then located at Earlsfort Terrace in the centre of Dublin.

The papers of Rathfarnham Castle concern: the management of Rathfarnham Castle (1911-1995); the Jesuit community (1913-1985); the history of Rathfarnham Castle (1912-1994); the farm (1917-1920); the seismograph (1918-1954) and retreats (1922-1995). Material is in the form of letters, plans, maps and photographs.

Rebellion & Revolution in Dublin: Voices from a Suburb, Rathfarnham,1913-23, edited by Marnie Hay and Dáire Keogh. South Dublin Libraries. Tallaght:

Receipt for repayment by Fr Michael Browne SJ of £203 stg, being the principal amount plus interest, originally lent by an unidentifiable person to Fr Thomas Maher SJ, when Rector of the College. Includes a letter from Fr Browne in relation to the loan.

Typed recommendations on how to profitably manage the farm at Rathfarnham Castle.

Register of retreats at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin containing the names and addresses of those attending retreats and the date attended.

'Register of the Sacred Heart' at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin containing the names and addresses of those attending retreats and the date attended.

Parties:
Lord George William Loftus, Chester Square, London of the first part, Rev. Lord Adam Robert Charles Loftus, Ardess, County Fermanagh of the second part, Lord Agustus William Frederick Spencer Loftus of the third part, Lord Henry Yorke Astley Loftus, Chester Square, London of the fourth part, William Tatton Egerton, esquire, Wilton Terrace, London and Lady Charlotte Egerton nee Loftus of the fifth part, Lady Anna Maria Helen Loftus, spinster, Chester Square, London of the sixth part and the Most Noble John Henry Loftus, Marquis of Ely, Ely Lodge, County Fermanagh of the seventh part.

Property:
Rathfarnham House, Parish of Rathfarnham, Barony of Newcastle, County Dublin.

Terms and Conditions:
Release of a charge of £10,000.

Other:
Signed and sealed by the parties.

Parties:
Most Noble Anna Maria Dowager Marchioness of Ely, Chester Square, London and Most Noble John Henry Loftus Marquis of Ely, Ely Lodge, County Fermanagh.

Property:
Rathfarnham House, Parish of Rathfarnham, Barony of Newcastle, County Dublin.

Terms and Conditions:
Release of two annuities of £1,000 on the property.

Parties:
Rev. Richard Haggitt, Rector of Fornham all saints cum Westley, County of Suffolk and Samuel Jay, Barrister, Lincoln's Inn, County of Middlesex and John Henry, Marquis of Ely.

Property:
Rathfarnham House, Parish of Rathfarnham, Barony of Newcastle, County Dublin.

Terms and Conditions:
Release from two mortgages of £3,000 and £1,000 and interest on same.

Other:
Signed and sealed by the parties.

Parties:
Sir George Dashwood, Kirtlington Park, County Oxford and the Most Honourable John Henry Marquis of Ely, Ely Lodge, County Fermanagh

Property:
Rathfarnham House, Parish of Rathfarnham, Barony of Newcastle, County Dublin.

Terms and Conditions:
Release from two judgements of debts and resulting costs on the property.

A file containing remarks by various members of the Irish Province on the proposed booklet to aid Scholastics about to begin their Magisterium.

A file relating to repairs to the weir at Willbrook, Rathfarnham, Dublin and the pond at Rathfarnham Castle. Includes quotations from contractors for the work.

Report describing the establishment of the Tertianship in Rathfarnham because of the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.

Report of the first 25 years of the Retreat House at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, 11 March 1922 - 10 March 1947.

Report on the condition of sanitation services to Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin.

Report written by Fr Tom Counihan SJ on various retreats held at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin.

A file relating to research carried out by Fr Fergal McGrath SJ on the history of Rathfarnham Castle.

Responses to Irish Fr Provincial's letter seeking volunteers to serve as chaplains. Includes;

• Copy of Provincial's letter (16 February 1942, 1p.)
• Responses from Frs Michael O'Meara SJ (2 letters, See also CHP2/32), Peter MacSeumais SJ, Brian MacMahon SJ, Fergus Cronin SJ (See CHP2/14), Thomas J. Martin SJ (See CHP2/28), Aidan Ennis SJ, Gerard Perrott SJ (brother of Cyril Perrott SJ) (2 letters) (See CHP2/35), Brendan Lawler SJ, Gerard MacLoughlin SJ and Thomas O'Callaghan SJ.

Retreat group at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin with Fr Patrick Barrett SJ - Central Studios.

Retreat Group, including some members of the staff of the L. M. & S. Railway Co. with Frs Patrick Barrett, Dr Naughton (Lord Bishop of Killala), Richard Devane, Michael Garahy and Canon O'Boyle, College Studios, 31 Westmoreland Street, Dublin. With names.

Retreat Group, Traffic Department, A.G.S. & Co., Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin. Keogh Brothers. With names.

Retreat groups at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin with various Jesuits - Br Byrne and Fr Patrick Barrett SJ.

2. L-r: Br John Adams, Fr Joe Erraught, Irish Fr Provincal Brendan Barry, Jack McDonald and Ted McAsey [1962]-[1968];

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

Retreat register containing the names and addresses of those attending retreats at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin and the date attended for the Sacred Heart Register Mona Mors Record.

Retreat register for Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin.

Retreat register for Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin containing the names and addresses of those attending retreats and the date attended.

File relating to the return of Fr Harold E Craig SJ to Ireland and his appointment to parish work in England.

A file relating to the road widening scheme at Rathfarnham and work carried out by Dublin Corporation on part of the boundary wall of Rathfarnham Castle and the subsequent problems that arose due to the Corporation's failure to complete the work. Includes a letter from Tom Bacon, Solicitor (acting on behalf of the Jesuit Fathers), 9 Clare Street, Dublin to Fr McDonald SJ Remarks 'This matter has taken a new and interesting turn... Mr Beausang (Dublin Corporation).. .explained his predicament. Apparently in his final anxiety to get the work through he agreed our terms without obtaining any additional estimates as to the cost... Mr Beausang states that there is a deficiency of at least £7,000...There is no fund out of which this deficiency can be met...Mr Beausang's first suggestion was that the Jesuit Fathers would make a grant to the corporation of half the increased cost namely £3,500. When he was told that this was out of the question it was then suggested that you might disclaim the acquisition money £2,000.' (11 October 1956, 3pp).

File containing Robert Thompson's admissionpapers and correspondence with irish Fr provincials covering his time in Zambia, at Rathfarnham Castle and Tullabeg and his parish work at Clane, County Kildare and Moycullen, County Galway.

Rules of the debating society for Jesuit juniors at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin.

Sale catalogues, prepared by Donal Ó Buachalla auctioneers, containing particulars of land, and particulars and conditions of sale and tender form for land owned by the Jesuit Fathers at Rathfarnham Castle; Later catalogue containing description of further site for sale on behalf of the Society of Jesus at Rathfarnham Village.

Scrapbook of the Sodality Academy, Rathfarnham Castle. Contains newspaper cuttings mainly from the Irish Catholic relating to the work and history of various sodalities in Ireland. Insertions include further newspaper cuttings and the anonymous draft of an article entitled ‘Devotion to our Lady in the Sodality’.

Seismograph diary for Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin. Includes cuttings from news-papers reporting on various earthquakes around the world.

Shelbourne Hotel Staff, Dublin - first retreat at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin. Includes Frs T Ward and J McLoughlin and Br John Loftus SJ. With names - F.M. Cox.

Side altar with Statue of Christ at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin.

Signed portrait postcard addressed to Fr Hugh Mulhall SJ, from Mar Ivanos, India, a visitor to Rathfarnham Castle during the Eucharistic Congress of 1932.

St John Ambulance Brigade in Eire Retreat at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin with Br Albert Kelly SJ, Fr Patrick Barrett SJ, Assistant Commissioner P. J. MacNamara and District Commissioner G. W. Belton.

St Josephs Young Priests Society, D.U.T. Co Branch. Retreat House, Rathfarnham Castle. With names. Includes Frs O'Donnell, Henry Croasdaile, Joy, Aubrey Gwynn and Br Byrne - J. Merriman & Son.

A file relating to the 'Consilium Permanens', a standing committee of Prefects of Studies to offer advice to Superiors in the matter of the education of pupils attending Jesuit schools. Includes agendas and minutes of the 'Consilium Permanens', includes a statement issued by Fr Provincial on how the 'Consilium Permanens' should be conducted, its duties and terms of reference (31 December 1939, 3pp).

Statement of accounts from 31 August 1913 - 1 September 1914 for 'The Irish Monthly'.

Status Temporalis (Province Account) book which contains accounts for: St Ignatius’ College, Galway; St Stanislaus’ College, Tullabeg; Clongowes College, Naas; Belvedere College, Dublin; Crescent College (College of the Sacred Heart), Limerick; Mungret College, Limerick; Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin; University Hall; 35 Lower Leeson Street; St Francis Xavier’s, Upper Gardiner Street, Irish Jesuit mission to Australia.

Status Temporalis (Province Account) for: St Ignatius’ College, Galway; St Stanislaus’ College, Tullabeg; Clongowes College, Naas; Belvedere College, Dublin; Crescent College (College of the Sacred Heart), Limerick; Mungret College, Limerick; Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin; University Hall; 35 Lower Leeson Street; St Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street.

Status Temporalis (Province Account) for: St Ignatius’ College, Galway; St Stanislaus’ College, Tullabeg; Clongowes College, Naas; Belvedere College, Dublin; Crescent College (College of the Sacred Heart), Limerick; Mungret College, Limerick; Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin; University Hall; 35 Lower Leeson Street; St Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street.

Status Temporalis (Province Account) for: St Ignatius’ College, Galway; St Stanislaus’ College, Tullabeg; Clongowes College, Naas; Belvedere College, Dublin; Crescent College (College of the Sacred Heart), Limerick; Mungret College, Limerick; Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin; University Hall; 35 Lower Leeson Street; St Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street.

Status Temporalis (Province Account). for: St Ignatius’ College, Galway; St Stanislaus’ College, Tullabeg; Clongowes College, Naas; Belvedere College, Dublin; Crescent College (College of the Sacred Heart), Limerick; Mungret College, Limerick; Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin; University Hall; 35 Lower Leeson Street; St Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street.

Status Temporalis (Province Account).for: St Ignatius’ College, Galway; St Stanislaus’ College, Tullabeg; Clongowes College, Naas; Belvedere College, Dublin; Crescent College (College of the Sacred Heart), Limerick; Mungret College, Limerick; Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin; University Hall; 35 Lower Leeson Street; St Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street.

Status Temporalis (Province Account).for: St Ignatius’ College, Galway; St Stanislaus’ College, Tullabeg; Clongowes College, Naas; Belvedere College, Dublin; Crescent College (College of the Sacred Heart), Limerick; Mungret College, Limerick; Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin; University Hall; 35 Lower Leeson Street; St Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street.

Status Temporalis (Province Account) for: St Ignatius’ College, Galway; St Stanislaus’ College, Tullabeg; Clongowes College, Naas; Belvedere College, Dublin; Crescent College (College of the Sacred Heart), Limerick; Mungret College, Limerick; Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin; University Hall; 35 Lower Leeson Street; St Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street.

Status Temporalis (Province Account) for: St Ignatius’ College, Galway; St Stanislaus’ College, Tullabeg; Clongowes College, Naas; Belvedere College, Dublin; Crescent College (College of the Sacred Heart), Limerick; Mungret College, Limerick; Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin; University Hall; 35 Lower Leeson Street; St Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street.

A file relating to the supply of electricity to Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin.

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

A telegram from Pope Pius XI to Fr Patrick Barrett SJ, Director of Retreats at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, blessing all those making a retreat at Rathfarnham. In Latin.

Text of a speech by [ ] on the occasion of a visit by a special envoy of the Pope to Rathfarnham Castle. Expresses thanks for the Pope's blessing for the Retreat House and describes the work carried out by the Retreat House.

Text of a speech delivered by [ ] at the dedication of the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes at Rathfarnham Castle.

The Catholic University of Ireland. Reprinted from the 'Irish Ecclesiastical Record', 1928, in four parts: pp225-245, 351-371, 482-490 and 589-605. Bound.

'The Nun at her Prie-Dieu' by Fr Robert Nash SJ.

File containing Fr Thomas O'Meara's admission papers and brief correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials including letters from his time as a missionary in Zambia.

Transport workers 25th annual retreat (1925), Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin. Praying at grotto - Independent News.

Documents for Ireland:

• House Histories (Historia Domus);
• Annual Letters (Litterae Annuae);
• Lives of those who have died (Summarium vitae defunctorum);
• Index of authors and books published by Ours (Index auctorem et librorum a Nostris editorum);

Documents for Ireland and Hong Kong.

• House Histories (Historia Domus);
• Annual Letters (Litterae Annuae);
• Lives of those who have died (Summarium vitae defunctorum);
• Province Accounts (Status temporalis trienalis domorum et arcarum Provinciae);
• Index of authors and books published by Ours (Index auctorem et librorum a Nostris editorum).

Documents for Ireland and Hong Kong.

• House Histories (Historia Domus);
• Annual Letters (Litterae Annuae);
• Lives of those who have died (Summarium vitae defunctorum);
• Province Accounts (Status temporalis trienalis domorum et arcarum Provinciae);
• Index of authors and books published by Ours (Index auctorem et librorum a Nostris editorum)
• Lists of admissions to the Novitiate, (Elenchi Triennales Admissorum in First and Final Vows, etc.noviciatum, Admissorum ad Vota Prima et Ultima)

Documents for:

• First Catalogue (Catalogus Personarum Primus)
• Second Catalogue (Catalogus Personarum Secundus)
• Annual Letters (Litterae Annuae)
• Lives of those who have died (Summarium vitae defunctorum)
• Index of authors and books published by Ours (Index auctorem et librorum a Nostris editorum)
• Lists of admissions to the Novitiate, (Elenchi Triennales Admissorum in First and Final Vows, etc noviciatum, Admissorum ad Vota Prima et Ultima)
• Catalogue of journals , periodicals (Catalogus ephemeridum et and school annuals.libellorum periodicorum)
• Supplement to First and Second Catalogue (Supplementum Triennale ad Catalogum Personarum Primum & Secundum)

Documents for:

• Second Catalogue (Catalogus Personarum Secundus);
• Annual Letters (Litterae Annuae);
• Catalogue of those apt for governing (Catalogus Aptorum ad Gubernandum);
• Lives of those who have died (Summarium vitae defunctorum) et arcarum Provinciae);
• Index of authors and books published by Ours(Index auctorem et librorum a Nostris editorum);
• Examples of Deeds (Exemplar Contractus Perpetui);
• Supplement to First and Second Catalogue (Supplementum Triennale ad Catalogum Personarum Primum & Secundum).

A file of University exam results from University Colle Dublin for Juniors at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin.

Valuation of Rathfarnham Castle before and after the construction of the Retreat House.

A file relating to the valuation of Rathfarnham Castle, the contents and the sale of Rathfarnham Castle. Includes a description of the land and location maps (nd, 4pp).

Verses by a retreatant, S. O'B. on the grotto of Our Lady of Loudres¸ Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin.

Very Rev Fr Assistant and Community, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin. With names (See attached names given by Fr Hugh Duffy SJ, 2014).

Visitors’ guide on Rathfarnham Castle history from 16th to 20th century, produced by the Office of Public Works.

Volume detailing wages paid to staff at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin and the amount paid. Refers to Milltown Park farm wages [1940]-[1947].

Week-End Retreat, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin. With Fr Patrick Barrett SJ, Director of Retreats - Keogh Brothers Ltd.

A file relating to the will of Mary E. O. Bolger and her bequest of £500 to the Jesuit Fathers, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin.

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).