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

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

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.

Medals for:
Prefect of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Ignatius, Galway;
Congregation of the Holy Angels;
Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Ignatius, Galway for R. Fr[ancis] Mullery, 2nd July 1871.

Handwritten account for the sodality of B.V.M - Lorcán Ua Tuathail (In Irish). Includes a list of those who attended a week-end retreat conducted in Irish by Fr Michael McGrath SJ (1872-1946), 29 - 31 January 1916. This Irish retreat was arranged with M. Colman, 1 Edward Terrace (sic) Dalkey.

The Sodality of Our Lady, an association formed by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and approved by the Holy See, was a religious body which aimed at fostering in its members an ardent devotion, reverence and filial love towards the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary & St Patrick was canonically erected in the Church of St Francis Xavier, Upper Gardiner Street on 1st May, 1853. Members of a sodality would attend devotions in the evening time or at weekends.

The material documents the creation of sodalities in Ireland from 1863 to 1960. This is known as ‘aggregation to the Primae Primariae’ and sodalities were formed in many colleges, convents, hospitals, parishes, and schools. Sodality booklets and newsletters provide background and history to the work of sodalities in Ireland.

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.

Copies of the Sodality Prayer and a leaflet explaining the 'Sodalists Daily Examination' by Fr Joseph A. Sommer SJ.

Souvenir of the Jubilee of the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Church of St Francis Xavier, Upper Gardiner Street.

Souvenir and leaflets of the Novena of Grace, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Two copies of souvenirs for the sodality day at Saint Francis Xavier's Church for 1949 and 1950.

Spiritual notes and letters belonging to Fr Willie Doyle SJ. Includes typewritten notes on ‘Samuel’, ‘Acts of Immolation’, ‘The Prayer of Christ’; spiritual letters.

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.

Summary of account by Leonard and Donnelly, Builders and General Contractors for works undertaken at 27 Upper Sherrard Street in late 1953 (removing decaying timers, new coal house and sundry works) (11-16 January 1954). The Jesuits obtained vacant possession on number 27 in 1953 and put it into good condition for use (mainly) as a Sodality centre.

Information pertains to the Task Force on Spiritual Exercises, known as HOP, and the re-evaluation of Retreat and Retreat Houses.

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.

Book entitled 'The Society of Jesus in Australia.'

‘The Sodality of Our Lady’ by Fr Gregory Ffrench SJ, reprinted from the September issue of 'The Furrow'.

The spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius. A new translation by Thomas Corbishley SJ.

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

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

"Villa" account for the Clongowes Wood College SJ community at Myrtleville House and No 2, Seaview Cottage, Myrtleville, County Cork. Lists expenses and providers of goods, and list of Jesuits on villa ("Villa" is translated as holiday or vacation).

Villa (holiday) journal for Irish Jesuit scholastics (Juniors).

Milltown Park, Dublin, 1907;
Redford House, Greystones, County Wicklow, 1908;
Ashby, Greystones, County Wicklow, 1909;
Ivanhoe, Greystones, County Wicklow, 1910;
Rochfort House, Portland Road, Greystones, County Wicklow, 1911;
Bayview, Wicklow, County Wicklow, 1912;
Bayview, Wicklow, County Wicklow, 1914;
Warrenpoint, County Down, 1915;
New Brighton, Monkstown, Dublin, 1916;
St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly, 1917;
St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly, 1918;
St Joseph's, Laytown, County Meath, 1919;
Clongowes Wood College SJ, County Kildare, 1920;
Bayview House (Mrs McPhail), Wicklow, County Wicklow, 1921.

Villa (holiday) journal for Irish Jesuit scholastics (Juniors).

Kinnagh Hill, Killiney, County Dublin, 1922;
Bayview House, Wickow, County Wicklow, 1923;
'Elton' & 'Albany', Kilcoole, County Wicklow, 1924;
Clydagh Hotel, Greystones, County Wicklow, 1925;
Clydagh Hotel, Greystones, County Wicklow, 1926;
Clydagh Hotel, Greystones, County Wicklow, 1927;
Gormanstown Castle, County Meath, 1928;
Castlebellingham, County Louth, 1929;
Charleville House, Enniskerry, County Wicklow, 1930;
Gormanstown Castle, County Meath, 1932;

Villa Rules and Daily Order of Time for Irish Jesuit Province.

Villa Rules for Irish Jesuit Vice-Province.

Villa Rules for Irish Jesuit Vice-Province dating from 1837 - quotes Fr General Roothaan, and the Irish Vice Provincial Joseph Lentaigne SJ (vice-prov 1858). Also includes a Daily Order of Time.

Volume containing information on retreats and missions given by Irish Jesuit priests. Includes information on the date of the retreat, the type of group to whom the retreat was given and the name of the person who gave the retreat or mission.

Volume containing information on retreats given by Irish Jesuit priests. Includes information on the date of the retreat, the type of group to whom the retreat was given and the name of the person who gave the retreat.

Volume containing information on retreats given by Irish Jesuit priests. Includes information on the date of the retreat, the type of group to whom the retreat was given and the name of the person who gave the retreat.

Volume containing information on retreats, triduums given by Irish Jesuit priests. Includes information on the date of the retreat, the type of group to whom the retreat was given and the name of the person who gave the retreat.

Volume containing information on retreats and triduums given by Irish Jesuit priests. Includes information on the date of the retreat, the type of group to whom the retreat was given and the name of the person who gave the retreat. Includes inserts of totals.

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

Information includes time and date (year not given), and list of selected films to be shown. States that funds are in aid of the Pope Pius XII's charities.

File of writings on religious topics by Fr Patrick O'Mara SJ consisting of notes for retreats and missions and lectures to sodalities and apostleship of prayer meetings.

Since the formation of the Irish Province in 1860, Irish Jesuits have undertaken three main overseas missions (Australia, Hong Kong and Zambia). More than 120 Irish Jesuits have worked in Zambia. The Vice-Province of Zambia was formed in 1969 and the Province of Zambia and Malawi was established in 1992. The Irish Jesuits' work in Zambia is complemented by other Jesuit Provinces such as: Canada; Croatia; Oregon; Poland and Slovenia. The papers of the Zambian Mission chronicle the life and work of Irish Jesuits since their arrival, in what was then Northern Rhodesia, in 1946. The files of correspondence between Irish Jesuits working in Zambia and their Irish Provincials in Dublin illustrate the areas of work that they laboured in: parish work, education and development. Geographically, this took place in the southern part of the country and in the capital, Lusaka. The impact of the Irish presence is seen especially in Canisius High School and Charles Lwanga College of Education in Chikuni, the parishes in the Monze Diocese, and development projects around the diocese.