Volume 6 1939~1941


Doc No.
Date
Subject

No. 136 NAI DFA Secretary's Files P15(i)

Letter from William J.B. Macaulay to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)

Holy See, 8 March 1940

Dear Joe,

I have just returned from the Vatican after discussing the subject of Dublin. I gave them a memorandum on the lines of yours1 with which they expressed pleasure and agreement. The need for a person of no ordinary attainments and character is realized as they realize the defects of the last incumbent, owing to ill health. It would be fatal at this stage for me to mention names but I find that Arthur Ryan of Belfast is very highly thought of.2 I was told the Nuncio3 was already interesting himself in finding the best man. I think that what he suggests will carry great weight, perhaps decisively so.4

Yours ever
[signed] W.J.B. Macaulay

1 Not located.

2 Father Arthur Haydn Ryan (1897-1982), academic, philosopher, member of the Senate of Queen's University, Belfast, and Pro-Chancellor of the University.

3 Paschal Robinson (1870-1948), Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland (1929-48).

4 Marginal note by Sheila Murphy: 'Secretary urged Mac on phone to expedite'.