Loreto 1916

Date

1916/1939

Genre

Diaries Postcards Photographs

Extent

21 items

Type of resource

text still image

Repository

IBVM (Loreto) Institute & Irish Province Archives

Repository reference

c0123

Language

English

Biographical/historical information

The Institute of the Blessed Virgin was founded by Mary Ward in 1609. It is a religious institute of pontifical right dedicated to apostolic works’, living according to the Ignatian tradition [IBVM Constitutions 2009, Volume II: Chapter I; 1.1]. Mary Ward’s idea of religious life was based on the Jesuit principles, of ‘unenclosed apostolic women religious’. This concept was so radical that in 1631 her Institute was suppressed. Mary Ward died in Yorkshire in 1644. In spite of the Bull of Suppression, the Institute continued to exist. The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary was finally recognised by the Church in 1877, and in 1909 Mary Ward was recognised as foundress. The Irish branch of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Loreto, was founded in Ireland in 1821 by Dublin woman, Frances Teresa Ball IBVM (1796 – 1861). The Institute is an international religious order, united by a common mission and divided into provinces and regions. Global, central governance is exercised by the Superior General (Institute Leader), assisted by the General Council. The Provincial Superior (Province Leader), assisted by the Provincial Council, is responsible for the governance of the Province/Region under her charge. Education was, traditionally, the central ministry of the Institute, educating and empowering women, in response to the identified needs of their times. Boarding and day schools, fee and non fee paying were opened across Ireland from 1821, and an international missionary thrust began in 1841. Traditionally, a religious community, governed by a local Superior, established and oversaw the staffing and administration of the attached schools. Religious and school communities co-existed, often, in the same building.

Ownership/custodial history

This fonds/collection was artificially constructed because of the relevance of the content to the Easter Rising 1916 national centenary celebrations. The material is collated from three separate Loreto archival collections, i.e.: the community archives of Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham; Loreto College, 53 St Stephen’s Green; and M. Michael Corcoran IBVM, Superior General 1888 – 1918. Each item is identified by its unique reference number, which also indicates the (original) parent collection.

Scope and content

Two manuscript community annals, military permit, picture postcards from Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham and Loreto College, 53 St Stephen’s Green and typed letter from M. Michael Corcoran IBVM, Superior General 1888 – 1918. The manuscript annals and letter provide a contemporaneous account of the Easter Rising 1916 as observed by the Loreto Sisters at St Stephen’s Green Dublin and Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham.

Other finding aid

Catalogues for Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham collection, Papers of M. Michael Corcoran and a listing for Loreto College, 53 St Stephen’s Green collection, can be consulted in IBVM (Loreto) Institute & Irish Province Archives, Reading Room.

Funding

This collection was digitised as part of the Sequestered: 'Loreto the Green' and 1916 project. The principal investigator for the project was Deirdre Raftery, School of Education, University College Dublin. The project was funded by the Irish Research Council Government of Ireland 'New Foundations: Decade of Centenaries' Scheme 2016.

Subjects

Loreto College (Saint Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland)–Pictorial works

Loreto Abbey (Rathfarnham, Ireland)–Photographs

Ireland–History–Easter Rising, 1916–Personal narratives

Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 53 Saint Stephen’s Green–Records and correspondence

Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham–Archives

Suggested credit

"Loreto 1916," held by IBVM (Loreto) Institute & Irish Province Archives. © Various copyright holders - see individual records (Collection level). Digital content by University College Dublin, published by UCD Library, University College Dublin <http://digital.ucd.ie/view/ucdlib:45795>

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Related item

Newman, John (collector). Remembering 1916 : Dublin's oral history : Harriet Searson (interview). Dublin, Ireland : UCD National Folklore Collection (1980)

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Record source

Descriptions created by staff of UCD Library, University College Dublin based on a finding aid provided by IBVM (Loreto) Institute & Irish Province Archives. EAD derived from MODS record.29 February 2016

Finding aid author

McHugh, Áine Fitzgerald, Kathleen, I.B.V.M.

1. Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham Collection

2. Loreto College, 53 St Stephen's Green Collection

3. Papers of M. Michael Corcoran

1.   Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham Collection

2.   Loreto College, 53 St Stephen's Green Collection

3.   Papers of M. Michael Corcoran

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Commercial use details To use for commercial purposes, please contact the UCD Digital Library

Copyright of original resource Various copyright holders - see individual records (Collection level)