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21/1/8a St Patrick's College
Carlow. 10-4-'16 Right. Rev. Monsignor. His Lordship
Dr Morrisroe, Bishop of Achonry, of
whose Diocese, I am a subject, has
authorised me to write to you, to know
if it would be possible for me to enter
Maynooth next September. I am at present
reading the First Divinity Course in
Carlow, but have taken no degree,
as there is no facility here for doing so. Your Obedient Servant
Patrick Flanagan Right. Rev. Mgr. Hogan.
This is a letter from Fr Patrick Flanagan to Rev Dr John F. Hogan (1858-1918). Hogan
was a priest, author, and president of St Patrick's College, Maynooth. During the
Easter Rising a group of Volunteers from the town of Maynooth entered the college
to seek a blessing before setting off for Dublin. Hogan reputedly refused to give
his blessing to their ‘foolish and most ill-advised expedition’ and urged them to
return home. They in turn refused; responding to their spiritual needs, he blessed
them, while remaining totally opposed to their activities. He subsequently addressed
the students on the need to show proper respect for authority.
This letter was sent by Patrick Flanagan with the permission of the Bishop of Achonry,
Patrick Morrisroe (1869-1946). In this letter Flanagan is wondering whether it would
be possible for him to enter Maynooth next September. He is currently heading the
first divinity course in Carlow but he has no degree and there is no facility in Carlow
for doing so.