Photograph album created by Lt. Col. M. O'Carroll Fitz-Simon, M.C. , who began his military career in Prince of Wales' Leinster Regiment, which was headquartered at Birr. The photographs document a peace-keeping mission the Leinsters undertook in Silesia (now part of Poland) from their departure at Dover on 31 May 1921, through Germany and to their destination of Oppeln (Opole in Poland today). Following the disbandment of the regiment in June 1922, Fitz-Simon joined the King's Own Regiment, Lancaster and the remaining photographs in the album depict scenes from missions in India and Burma. There is also a small number of photographs of people and houses in the Birr area including Whigsborough House, and the burnt out remains of Birr Barracks (following its destruction in the Civil War in July 1922).

Original incoming and copy outgoing letters relating to Ernest H Browne's management of the Bellair Estate. Matters referred to include: schedule of the transfer of head rent of lands in Bellair from the original lessee, Thomas Lowe, to his descendants; arrangements between W B Homan Mulock and Patrick Keena for a 16 year purchase of the lands; schedule of deeds and documents received by W B Homan Mulock from A & L Goodbody, solicitors.

Includes letter from A & L Goodbody to W B Homan Mulock, following the destruction of Dublin's Custom House, "Owing to all their records having been destroyed, the Inland Revenue Officials have asked us to lodge with them for noting the copies of the wills of your Father and Grand-uncle and we should be glad if you would let us have these copies at your early convenience" (14 June 1921).

Includes letters from Toler Garvey Jr relating to the occupation of Birr Castle by the Free State Army during December 1922 and January 1923. Also contains letters concerning the finances of the Birr Castle estate, theft of silver from Thomastown Park, the execution of three youths on Birr Castle grounds by the occupying Free State Army, and a compensation claim to the OPW in February 1923.

Box of in-letters from correspondents whose names begin with ‘A’ and ‘C’, including correspondence about Sir Nesbitt Armstrong’s trusts, and letters from James Callaghan (a thatcher employed by the Rosse estate), from the ‘Chief of Staff, January 1923’ about the occupation of Birr Castle by the Free State Army, from W. Y. Chisholm (manager of the Rosse sawmill [see Q/327]), from Miss Edith A. Cramer, [see M/18], from Messrs Coutts & Co., etc.

Includes: Letter from Padraig Ua Maolchatha, Col. Comdt., G. O. C. 3rd Southern Command, Roscrea: I am directed by the Chief of General Staff to inform you that it will not be possible to evacuate any portion of the premises occupied by the troops before Christmas. I am at present unable to give you any idea when we may be able to evacuate Birr Castle but assure you that we will not occupy it any longer than necessary. I regret being unable to facilitate Lord Rosse’s family in this matter but trust that the owner will appreciate the circumstances which force us to remain in occupation.’ (4 December 1922)

Includes letter from Capt. F. O’Brien for the Chief of General Staff, Dublin, to Toler Garvey: ‘I have been in communication with the General Officer Commanding of the Area who informs me that we was aware of game being shot on the Rosse Estate, but did not prevent it, as he was not aware that the game was preserved.’ (8 January 1923)

‘P’, ‘Q’, ‘R’ and ‘T’ - including letters from the Hon. Geoffrey L. Parsons, in Basingstoke, relating to the affairs of Birr Castle Demesne, during the period in which he acted on behalf of the sixth earl in his minority (1918-1924). Also includes letters from members of the Pigott family [see V/24], Mrs Manning Robertson, the 5th and 6th Earls of Rosse, J.H. Tyler (the Womersley agent [see H/117]), etc, etc.

Copies of outgoing letters from John V. Brown, clerk of Parsonstown Union to various recipients, particularly the Poor Law Commissioners, detailing reliefs and works. Also includes copy outgoing correspondence relating to assisted emigration schemes for inmates of the Parsonstown workhouse during the course of the Great Famine.

Annual report, account and rental for year ending June 1918. Describes a buoyant timber industry for the year with profit made from timber sales on the thinning of woods planted 45 years previously. Describes the country as 'almost entirely free of agitation and disturbance' but notes that 'the attitude of the people as regards the War, where not openly hostile and pro-German is quite apathetic, and this attitude appears to be deliberately encouraged, with scarcely an exception by members of the Nationalist Party and by the Roman Catholic priesthood.'