Transcripts from the Irish College in Rome

The typed transcripts in this collection are of correspondence that is part of the Cullen and Kirby Collections housed at the Pontifical Irish College’s Archives. Paul Cullen (1803-1878), the first Irish cardinal, and Tobias Kirby (1804-1895), were two of the most preeminent rectors of the Irish College in Rome. Cullen served as rector from 1821-1849, and was succeeded by Kirby, a priest of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, who had served as vice-rector of the College since 1836. Kirby served as rector for forty-one years from 1850 until he retired in 1891.

In 1896, the American Catholic Historical Society’s Archivist, H. T. Henry, traveled to the Irish College in Rome and transcribed letters from American priests and bishops who had corresponded with Cullen and Kirby. Henry published edited versions of these transcripts in the Records of the American Catholic Historical Society (volumes 7-9). The intent was to document some of people and events connected with the history of Catholicity in North America. Correspondents include Francis P. Kenrick, Peter R. Kenrick, Edward Barron, Michael O’Connor, John England, John Hughes, William Clancy, John Thomas Hynes, Thomas James Power, James Rogers, and John Walsh.

Beginning in the 1896 Records of American Catholic Historical Society Volume 7, the Society began publishing a series of letters dealing primarily with the personages and events connected with the history of Catholicity in America. The Society knew that it was impractical for them to try to write a narrative of the Church in America. Instead, the Society believed it was in the best interest to scholars and students of Catholic history in America to provide some desirable information.

The first and second series can be found in Volume 7, 1896, pages 283-388 and 454-492; the third, fourth, and fifth series can be found in Volume 8, 1897, pages 195-240, 294-329, 450-512; and the sixth and last series can be found in Volume 9, 1898, pages 1-34.