A collection of material related to the Easter Rising 1916 from the IBVM (Loreto) Institute & Irish Province Archives, including contemporaneous accounts of the Rising as observed by the Loreto Sisters at St Stephen’s Green Dublin and Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham. The material is collated from three separate Loreto archival collections: the community archives of Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham; Loreto College, 53 St Stephen’s Green; and M. Michael Corcoran IBVM, Superior General 1888 – 1918. The collection comprises of two manuscript community annals, a military permit, picture postcards from Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham and Loreto College, 53 St Stephen’s Green, and a typed letter from M. Michael Corcoran IBVM, Superior General 1888 – 1918.

The Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Prisoners Books for 1905-1908 and 1911-1918 are amongst the most valuable new documents to come to light on the revolutionary decade. They include important information on social and political life in the capital during the last years of the Union, from the period of widespread anticipation of Home Rule, to the advent of the 1913 Lockout, the outbreak of the First World War, the Easter Rising and its aftermath, including the conscription crisis of 1918. They will also be invaluable to those interested in criminology, genealogy, and family history.

This volume, numbered 1, of the Dublin Metropolitan Police prisoners books details arrests dating from 1st April 1905 to 1st January 1908. The record for each arrest includes the name, age, address, occupation, alleged offence and, in most cases, the outcome of the case for those arrested. The volume also contains a name index of prisoners with references to the pages containing details of the charge.

This volume, numbered 4, of the Dublin Metropolitan Police prisoners books details arrests dating from 1st October 1913 to 31st December 1915. The record for each arrest includes the name, age, address, occupation, alleged offence and, in most cases, the outcome of the case for those arrested. The volume also contains a name index of prisoners with references to the pages containing details of the charge.

This volume of the Dublin Metropolitan Police prisoners books details arrests dating from 1st January 1911 to 30th September 1913. The record for each arrest includes the name, age, address, occupation, alleged offence and, in most cases, the outcome of the case for those arrested. The volume also contains a name index of prisoners with references to the pages containing details of the charge.

This contemporaneous account of Easter Rising 1916 captures the uncertainty, the confusion and the anxiety experienced by the religious community and their concern for their Sisters in Dublin city centre communities (i.e. 43 North Great George’s Street, 53 St Stephen’s Green & 77 St Stephen’s Green.) In 1916 the Sisters were bound by the rule of enclosure, and were not permitted to leave convent grounds, unless for medical or other appointments. The Sisters were permitted to visit other convents, but only with the prior agreement of their Local Superior. The annalist records the impact of the Rising on the community, including lack of communication & resulting rumours, food shortages, ‘Sounds of great cannonading’, fires in the city centre which could be seen in Rathfarnham, and the resulting destruction of the city centre. The annalist also records that two of the workmen (employed on the Loreto Abbey farm), participated in the rising and the annals conclude on 9th May, with an account of the arrest and questioning of other farm employees by the authorities. Reference is also made to searches and the capturing of arms in Rathfarnham village.

Manuscript report, written in Irish, relating to the proposed memorial and the search for approval for the project from the Governing Body of University College Dublin. The report was unanimously adopted by the committee and has been signed by Eoin Ó Broleáin, secretary, and Pádraig O Donnobhán, vice-president of the committee.

Minutes refer to the exhibition of black and white designs for the panels of the stained glass window along with comments and suggested changes made by the Memorial Committee. The minutes were signed by Desmond E. Bell, chairman, 2 January 1934.

Brief minutes of a meeting of the committee, signed by Kevin Mangan, chairman of the committee, 14 November 1934.

Minutes relate to a draft sketch of the plans for the proposed memorial window, a circular appealing for funds and the departure of Tadhg O'Neill from the committee. The minutes were signed by Ua Rathghaille, chairman, 21 December 1932.

Minutes refer to the committee’s success in obtaining permission from the UCD Governing Body for the erection of a stained glass window and agreement with the Harry Clarke Studio on the cost of the project. The minutes were signed by Tadhg O’Neill, President R.C. [Students' Representative Council], on 25 August 1932.

The minutes of the meeting pertain to a discussion on whether the scheme outlined in the 1929–30 Report should be adhered to and the possibility of deferring payment for the window and suspending the collection of funds until the permission of the Governing Body has been obtained. The minutes were signed by Ua Rathghaille on 18 July 1932.

The minutes of the meeting record initial discussions on the design of the panels for the stained glass window. The minutes were signed by Tadhg O'Neill, chairman, on 3 November 1932.

This contemporaneous account of Easter Rising 1916 captures the uncertainty, the confusion and the anxiety experienced by the religious community and the resident boarding pupils. In 1916 the Sisters were bound by the rule of enclosure, and were not permitted to leave convent grounds, unless for medical or other appointments. The Sisters were permitted to visit other convents, but only with the prior agreement of their Local Superior. A small number of boarders remained in the boarding school throughout the Easter holidays 1916, they were the daughters of parents working/living abroad or for whom, travel home, was not feasible or too expensive. The annalist was in a unique position to record the events of Easter Rising 1916 in St Stephen’s Green, as the community room overlooked the Green. The annalist records the activities in the Green on Easter Monday, ‘men and women busily going to and fro in Stephen’s Green park and having locked the gates proceed to dig trenches. Where the trees did not hide the paths shrubs were torn up to cover the railings. The trams were next seen drawn up in line but all were empty.’ ‘Close and constant firing’, sniper fire, efforts to safeguard the boarders by moving to the rear of the building, loss of communication, food shortages, the daily attendance by various priests who celebrated daily mass and heard confession, the transfer of patients to the neighbouring St Vincent’s Hospital, the staggered observance of Truce & surrender, and the gradual resumption of normality are recorded by the annalist.

Minutes of a meeting of the Kevin Barry Memorial Committee. The minutes refer to the proposed acceptance of subscriptions from people who do not and have never attended University College Dublin and the proposed date for the unveiling ceremony. The meeting was adjourned and resumed on the 15th January. The minutes were signed by Desmond Bell, chairman, 1 March 1934.

The minutes concern payment due to the Clarke studio, the date of the unveiling ceremony and the decision to publish a photograph of the stained glass window in the college magazine Comhthrom Feinne. The minutes were signed by Desmond Bell, chairman, 23 July 1934, and feature manuscript annotations.

Minutes refer to the question of whether to accept subscriptions from political parties and the likelihood that the stained glass window would not be completed for the intended Saint Patrick's Day unveiling. Signed by Desmond Bell, 27 April 1934.

Minutes pertain to a discussion on whether the committee should accept financial assistance from the public following a letter published in the Irish Press from Joseph J. O' Donoghue IV of New York concerning the Kevin Barry Memorial. Mr O' Donoghue also sent $100 to be given to the Memorial Fund in order to facilitate its completion. In another context, Keogh Brothers Photographers offered to print and sell memoriam cards and donate the proceeds to the fund. The minutes were signed by William P. Fay, chairman, 8 January 1934.

Document contains the minutes of a meeting of the Kevin Barry Memorial Committee and was signed by Desmond C. Bell, chairman of the committee on 11 October 1934. The minutes refer primarily to proposed alterations to the window and payment due to Harry Clarke Stained Glass Limited.

Minutes pertain to discussions held on the contents of the individual window panels and the financial position of the Kevin Barry Memorial. The minutes were signed by Ua Rathghaille, chairman.

Manuscript copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Kevin Barry Memorial Committee held in the S.R.C. Room, University College Dublin on 3 November [1932]. The minutes pertain to discussions on a sketch for the design of the window and additional names to which the circular appealing for funds should be sent. The reverse of the sheet features the names and short addresses of the members of the committee, possibly to indicate who was present at the meeting.

Minutes pertain to decisions made by the committee on the design of the memorial window along with the financial situation of the memorial fund. The minutes were signed by Ua Rathghaille, chairman, on 15 July 1933.

Minutes pertain to the drafting of a circular appealing for subscriptions to the memorial fund, signed by Tadhg O’Neill, chairman, on 30 September 1932.

The minutes pertain to the selection of individuals to act as treasurers for the memorial committee and discussions relating to the design of the stained glass window. The minutes were signed by Tadhg O’ Neill, chairman, on 18 October 1932.