The Jesuits bought Tullabeg in 1818 (dedicated it to St Stanislaus) and opened a preparatory school for boys destined to go to Clongowes Wood College, Kildare. St Stanislaus College gradually developed as an educational rival to its sister school. It merged with Clongowes Wood College in 1886. Tullabeg then became a house of Jesuit formation: novitiate (1888-1930), juniorate (1895-1911), tertianship (1911-1927) and philosophate (1930-1962). In 1962, it was decided that the students of philosophy should be sent abroad for study. Tullabeg subsequently became a retreat house and was closed in May 1991.

The papers of St Stanislaus College include information on a history of the area around Tullabeg, building and property (1912-2004), correspondence with Superiors (1881-1971), finance (1912-1990), documents on Jesuit training (1818-1962), retreat house (1949-1960) and artworks (1940-1991).

Material is in the form of letters, reports, architectural plans, notes, maps and photographs (1902-1990). Programmes for plays include Shrovetide at St. Stanislaus College, Tullamore; ‘The Man with the Iron Mask’, ‘All at Coventry’ and ‘The Smoked Miser’ (1885) and for ‘Caitlín Ní Uallacáin’ and ‘Cox and Box’ and details Jesuits who performed (1925).

Reply from one of his cardinals granting a privileged altar to St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, Tullamore, Ireland.

Correspondence dealing with the Jesuits’ purchase of Tullabeg lands in the Land Commission Court and the clearing of all claim for the Young Mortgage. Letters have been folded and their date and contents summarised on the outside of each folded packet. Some folded packets contain more than one letter.

House Consultors’ (Frs Michael Connolly, John Hyde, John F. O’Connor and Kieran Hanley) letters to Fr Provincial.

‘Original’ book, with four loose pages.

‘Copy’ signed by Father Provincial Laurence J. Kieran SJ, 31 March 1940, includes twelve loose pages.

Journal kept by the beadle of the Philosophate.

Journal kept by the beadle of the Philosophate.