Photograph of Fr Leonard Sheil SJ, on a ladder while talking to a chippy (carpenter), on scaffolding. Taken for the 'Birmingham Post & Mail'.

Memorandum of Agreement between Dr Nicholas Wiseman, St. Mary's College, near Birmingham and Thomas Richardson and Son, Printers and Publishers, Derby concerning the Dublin Review. The Agreement sets out the terms and conditions for Thomas Richardson and son to become the sole and exclusive proprietors and publishers of the Dublin Review from the 34th issue. Eight conditions are listed in the Agreement.

File relating to the admission of Joseph Conran to the Society of Jesus and his subsequent Jesuit life, including his move to the Jesuit community at Carmel, California.

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.

Letters to Fr Henry Gill SJ from various scientists and scientific institutions on his research. Includes:

• letter from the Assistant Librarian of the Royal Institution, London giving Fr Henry Gill SJ permission to use one of the Libraries to demonstrate ‘the new glow in Vacuum tubes’ which Fr Henry Gill SJ discovered during the course of his research work in Cambridge (22 May 1909, 1p);
• letter from Prof. Oliver Lodge, (The University, Edmund Street, Birmingham) thanking Fr Henry Gill SJ for sending him his article on ‘the Ether’ and discussing the theory propounded by Prof. J. J. Thomson, who, in a recent Address ‘allows for the possibility of extra condensation of ether close to matter’ (9 September 1909, 3pp);
• letter from the Director of the Union Géodésique et Géophysique Internationale concerning Fr Gill’s paper, ‘Some Speculations on Wegner’s Theory of Continental Drift’ published in Publications du Bureau central séismologique international, série A: Travaux scientifiques, fascicule 15 - 1937 (18 January 1936, 1p.) and letter from J. E. Doyle (Mullaghadun, Dungannon, County Tyrone) discussing his ideas on entropy and concluding ‘I would strongly advise you to consult an authority on physics and biology before publishing anything more on this subject, as erroneous arguments, although they should not be taken as proving anything one way or the other generally throw some discredit on the thesis which they are used to support’ (3pp).

Letters from Prof. Geoffrey Hand to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ. Includes news of his appointment to the Fiesole Institute, Florence; his work, colleagues in U.C.D. (where he Lectured in Legal and Constitutional History); family and health.

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 of letters from Alice Cope (d.1929) to Dr Charles Russell concerning her conversion to the Catholic faith and her meetings with Dr Newman. Remarks how kind Dr Newman was to her.

Letter from Dr John Henry Newman (founder of the Oratorian Congregation at Edgbaston, Birmingham, from where the letter was written) to Fr John Walford SJ, congratulating him on ‘having fixed’ his vocation. Fr Walford entered the English Province of the Society on 13 September 1867.

Letter found among the papers of Fr William A. Sutton SJ however the connection with Fr Walford or Cardinal Newman is unknown.

Letter to Fr Gerald Manley Hopkins SJ from Cardinal John Henry Newman thanking him for his ‘kind remembrance’ of the Cardinal's birthday and stating ‘I grieve to find you corroborate from your own experience what other friends tell me about the State of Ireland. What are we coming to!’ Also original envelope for the letter, addressed to ‘The Revd. G. Hopkins, S.J., 85.86 Stephen’s Green, Dublin’ dated 27 Feb. 1885, Birmingham. With Holyhead Kingstown Packet franking on back, dated Feb. 28.

Letter from Joseph Quirke, Endwood Court, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham to Fr Gerald Corr SJ reminiscing positively on his days at Tullabeg and Clongowes. Fr Corr was a teacher and editor of 'The Clongownian' at this time. He is writing on the occasion of the 100 year anniversary of Clongowes.

Letter from John Henry Newman, writing from the Oratory, Birmingham, to Fr Murphy on the subject of the University choir. He regretfully informs Fr Murphy that it is the opinion of four professors, and apparently a good many others, that the singing of the principal soprano and the principal bass [the Macdermotts] is not good.

A file relating to Fr Patrick Coffey SJ. Includes biographical information, correspondence, concerning his health during his early years in the Society and correspondence during his time in England working in parishes in Birmingham and London.

Correspondence regarding the travel plans of Maurice Wong SJ and Daniel Breen SJ for the summer.

File entitled Missions in Britain 1950s containing eleven sections: Introductory letter from Fr Leonard Sheil SJ (20 February 1960, 5pp);

• report for Irish Fr Provincial (8 January 1958, 8pp);
• list of places and dates of Irish Missions in Britain 1949 - 1959 (19[59], 6pp);
• copies of commendatory letters (7 November 1953 - 24 November 1958, 3 items);
• Report for Irish Fr Provincial on Missions 1958 - January 1959 and cuttings from the [Irish Independent] on the Mission Campaign in Britain by Fr Leonard Sheil SJ (20 January 1959, 3 items);
• three ‘typical’ reports on three 1959 Missions for the Bishop of Ferns (1959, 4pp);
• ‘Account of an Ideal Mission for the Bishop of Ferns’ by Fr Sheil (n.d., 7pp);
• press articles by Fr Sheil describing the Missions (September - October 1958, 6 items);
• photographs of Birmingham and Westminster Cathedrals, Brompton Oratory, photographs of ‘children of the Irish’ (13 items) and
• map of England indicating the routes of Fr Sheil’s motorcycle travel (1 item).
  Also includes booklets and advertising leaflets for the Missions (7 items) and memorandum for Irish Fr Provincial by Fr Sheil containing suggestions for better organisation of the Missions (1959, 2pp).

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).

Correspondence mainly between Irish Fr Provincial, Fr Leonard Sheil SJ and the English Provincial, relating to Fr Sheil’s Mission work in England. Includes:
– incomplete letter from Fr Sheil to the Provincial referring to a Mission he and Fr Robert L. Stevenson SJ are to give in Peterborough, ‘We will run one mission in a hostel, and another in the church at the same time. There are 180 Irish in the hostel; and there are believed to be about 400 in lodgings around the town. We may, or may not, be able to get at them.’ Also describes his recent travels on the Continent (third page of letter is missing) (12 Sep. 19--, 2pp);
– letter from Fr Sheil to the Provincial describing a ‘country mission in Northampton’ where he “was told to take a different village every day, say Mass in some Catholic house, visit every house – Catholic or no, and ‘hold a service’ on the village green in the evening” (2 September 19–, 7pp);
– covering letter and note (January 1953, 2pp) from Fr Sheil to the Provincial enclosing a memorandum entitled ‘Relations between Irish and English Jesuit Missioners’ (n.d., 3pp);
– covering letter from Fr Sheil (13 April 1953, 1p.) to the Provincial, enclosing a letter he received from the Archbishop of Cius and English Apostolic Delegate following Fr Sheil’s report to him of 1952 Mission work. The Archbishop writes ‘I have read with deepest interest the reports sent to me by the Reverend Father L. Sheil, S.J. and I have informed the Holy See of all the splendid work that has been accomplished. For this most necessary apostolate, certainly the Delegate of the Holy Father must send a cordial blessing in the name of His Holiness and he is confident that, with God’s help, more and more will be achieved for those who stand so much in need of the ministry of their own priests’ (9 April 1953, 1p.);
– copy letter from the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne to the English Fr Provincial Desmond Boyle SJ, regarding Fr Boyle’s ‘wishes concerning the activities of the Irish Mission staff in England’. States ‘I have…instructed Father Leonard Sheil to confine his activities in future to Camp Missions during the autumn months, and, once he has fulfilled his programme in London this autumn, to approach no parish priest about a parish Mission nor to accept any parish Mission without a specific request from Father Farrell.…I think he (Fr Sheil) has done good work for the Irish in England, some of which, such as the Confraternity in Birmingham, may be of permanent worth. But whatever good he has achieved is due in no small measure to the co-operation of the English Province and the support he received from the English parish clergy’ (22 Apr. 1953, 1p.);
– Fr Boyle’s reply thanking Fr Byrne for his co-operation and stating ‘I only hope that we of this Province have not seemed too difficult or dog-in-the-manger-ish. The position was getting rather confused and it seemed desirable to regularize it. Your mission Fathers have done wonderful work in England, and I am quite sure that Fr Sheil will be approached either directly or through Fr Farrell for further missions’ (29 Apr. 1953, 1p.);
– letter to Fr Sheil from Dr James Staunton, Bishop of Ferns in which he remarks ‘I was glad to know that you are going to St. Wilfrid’s York, and I hope your Fathers and yourself will be invited to give many missions in the secondary modern schools, and pioneer in this sphere’ (20 Aug. 1958, 2pp);
– letter to the Provincial from Fr Sheil describing the work of two Irish chaplains in London – Fr Cullen in Warwick Street and the chaplain in Bayswater (Sep. 1967, 2pp).
Also includes list drawn up by Fr Sheil of Jesuits who ‘should give a very good priests’ retreat’ (n.d., 2pp).

Xerox copy of a letter from James Marshall, Richmond House, Roehampton Park SW, London, England to Cardinal Newman concerning his return to Africa '...sorely against what I may call my "home" feelings.' Remarks that he was asked by Lord Aberdare to accept the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria but for personal reasons he refused this offer and instead agreed to take on the responsibility of organising a judicial system '...on the distinct understanding that I might come away as soon as I liked. This I have accepted on the condition I was to take out a barrister with me who would take up the post when I left.' Continues 'My thoughts at once turned to barristers who had been at the Oratory School...it is now settled and arranged that Mr. W. V. Kane of the Dublin Bar and an O.S. boy is to go out with me and remain as C(hief) J(ustice).' Asks for Cardinal Newman's blessing.