28.04.2015
Dublin Priest’s World War One Diaries Launched Online
The World War One diaries of a Dublin priest have been made digitally available for scholars, researchers and members of the public. For the first time, experts in the Dublin Diocesan Archive and the Digital Library in University College Dublin have worked together transcribing and digitising diaries and papers of Fr Francis Gleeson, a Dublin priest who ministered to soldiers in the First World War.
The new digitised collection was officially launched yesterday evening (Monday April 27) by the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin at a reception in Holy Cross Diocesan Centre, in Clonliffe. The event was attended by members of Fr Gleeson’s family as well as the British and French Ambassadors to Ireland and Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Fr Francis Gleeson, a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin, was Chaplain to the Royal Munster Fusiliers as they faced battle on the Western Front. He was the priest depicted in the world famous painting, The Last General Absolution of the Munsters at Rue du Bois by Fortunino Matania, where he is seen mounted on a horse, giving absolution to the troops on the eve of the Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915.
Fr Gleeson kept meticulous handwritten diaries of his time with the Munsters. They contain vivid, emotional and very often tragic accounts of his time with the troops near the battlefield. He was often the only person in a position to communicate with the families of soldiers missing or killed in action.
The Fr Gleeson collection consists of 30 items in total – diaries, brigade roll books, letters and miscellaneous notes. These were transcribed by the Dublin Diocesan archivist, Noelle Dowling and volunteer archivist, Peter Sobolewski. Ms Dowling (pictured at last night’s launch) spoke of their work, which began work in January 2014 and finished nine months later, at an event in St Patrick’s Cathedral in February.
The collection was then given to UCD Digital Library to start their work in November 2014. The entire collection was transferred temporarily to the Digital Lab in UCD Library. The items were digitised using an i2s SupraScan Quartz HD A1 book scanner. They are the first digital repository in Ireland certified as ‘Trusted Digital Repository’.
See more at: http://www.dublindiocese.ie/2015/04/27/priests-historic-world-war-i-diaries-go-digital/#sthash.n7hRx8nc.dpuf
“We march out from Tombe Willot (Locon) about 900 strong…
…The scenes of enthusiasm are extraordinary. I rode on my horse. Gave Absolution to Batt. during rest on road. Opposite La Couten Church between shrines of “N.D. de la Bonne Mort” & another shrine we have another rest. The men will sing Hymns esp. “Hail Glorious St. Patrick”.
I go further up – near the trenches & bid goodbye to all. So sad!!”
– Extract from the diary of Fr. Francis Gleeson before the battle of the Rue de Bois, Saturday May 8th 1915