Exhibitions: 'Fr Michael Bergin SJ' at Roscrea Library, 2-31 October 2017. 'Irish Jesuit chaplains in the First World War and Rathfarnham Castle,' Rathfarnham Castle, 2 November-3 December 1917. Castlerea Branch Library, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon September 2018. Talks: 10 October 2017, to Mungret Past Pupils' Union in Limerick November (date tbc) Rathfarnham Castle "Standing as I was between the guns and the trenches..." Henry Gill SJ "Life here is very pleasant and interesting, provided one does not mind being killed..." John Gwynn SJ Catholic chaplains in the First World War served alongside the troops at the Front, both in the trenches and on the battlefields, exposed to the same dangers. Many Jesuit chaplains were highly decorated and recognised for their exceptional bravery by both men and commanding officers Irish Jesuit Chaplains in the First World War, edited by Damien Burke, is a collection of articles describing the wartime experiences of eleven of these brave men. Illustrated with letters, photographs and telegrams from the Irish Jesuit Archives, this is a fascinating insight into the experiences and thoughts of men who expected to spend their lives in priestly ministry in schools, parishes, churches and universities - not on the battlefield.
