Creator(s): Society of the Sacred Heart, Irish-Scottish Province
Administrative History ↴
The Society of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic religious congregation founded in France in 1800 by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, in response to the extreme violence of Revolutionary France. In such a broken society Sophie Barat hoped the Society of the Sacred Heart would make present the love of God revealed in the Heart of Christ and help the restoration of Christian life in France. Its major work was the education of young women of the rich and the poor classes. The Society of the Sacred Heart quickly expanded within Europe and beyond, and came to Ireland in 1842. Members use the suffix "RSCJ" which stands for Religieuses du Sacré-Cœur de Jésus, or Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It currently has a presence in forty-one countries.
At the request of the Archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid, Mother Mary Connolly founded the Society of the Sacred Heart, Monkstown. A handsome house, Yapton, was acquired and in September 1945 the school was opened with fifty-six pupils. The Society bought the neighboring house, Greenbank, in 1949 and ten new classrooms were built. In 1955 the numbers had increased almost five-fold to three hundred. In the 1960’s the decision was taken that the Society of the Sacred Heart, Monkstown should enter the state free secondary education scheme but within eighteen months it became clear that the decline in fee income was unsustainable and the secondary school was wound down over three years. Sacred Heart sisters from Monkstown went to teach in Holy Child Secondary School Killiney, and subsequently joined staff of the Holy Child Secondary School Sallynoggin when it opened in 1970. The Montessori and junior schools at Sacred Heart Monkstown closed in 1977, with some pupils transferring to Mount Anville.
Archival History ↴
The collection forms part of the Society of the Sacred Heart, Irish-Scottish Province archival collection. It was deposited to the Provincial Archives Office, Society of the Sacred Heart, Irish-Scottish Province in 1994. Material deposited from Society of the Sacred Heart, Monkstown, Dublin, Ireland.
Immediate Source Acquisition ↴
Official Transfer
Content & Structure
Scope & Content: Society of the Sacred Heart, Irish-Scottish Province ↴
The papers provide an insight to the RSCJ community and convent at Monkstown from 1938 to 1964. Included are financial and administrative records, school journals and student registers. There are also photographs, property records and records detailing the closure of the school.
The collection contains a wealth of information regarding religious sisters, Catholic education, women’s history and local history.
Appraisal Destruction ↴
All items retained permanently
Arrangement ↴
The collection is arranged as follows:
A. Property, 1938-1964
B. History and Foundation, 1945 -1964
C. House Journals and Administrative Records, 1945 -1964
D. Religious community and staffing, c. 1945-1964
E. Education, 1945-1964
F. Donation, 1945
G. Development and Closure, 1947-1964
H. Visits and Reviews, 1948-1961
I. Insurance, c. 1974-1964
J. Photographs
K. Memorabilia
Conditions of Access & Use
Access Conditions
The Provincial Archives Office, Society of the Sacred Heart, Irish-Scottish Province, Mount Anville Road, Dublin 14 is open to bona fide researchers. Hours: Thursday & Friday, 10am until 4pm. Please contact the Provincial Archivist by email for an appointment at proarchives@eircom.net
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No material may be reproduced without the written permission of the Provincial Archivist. Copyright restrictions apply. Photocopying is not available. Digital photography is not permitted.
Creation Dates
1938-1964
Extent Medium
8 boxes
Material Language Script
English
Characteristics Tech Req
Bound volumes, photographs, loose documents. Careful handling is required
Finding Aids
Descriptive lists can be consulted in the Provincial Archives Office, Society of the Sacred Heart, Irish-Scottish Province
Archive Web Link →
Allied Materials
Related Material
Society of the Sacred Heart, Irish-Scottish Provincial Archives; Aberdeen, Armagh, Craiglockhart, Harcourt Street-Lesson Street, Kilgraston, Mount Anville, Roscrea
Descriptive Control Area
Archivist Note
Eibhlis Connaughton,1994
Rules/Conventions
ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description. 2nd ed. Ottawa: International Council on Archives, 2000.
National Council on Archives: Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names. Chippenham: National Council on Archives, 1997.
