Brian Condon: Diary of James Alipius Goold, 1848-1886

Tuesday 5th July. Left Dublin for Galway; spent the long bright evening in seeing the old and new town.

Wednesday 6th July. To Clifden. The country through which we passed presented a varied landscape - wild, bold, stretches of high and low land, with lakes, cultivated and wooded estates. I enjoyed this drive exceedingly, though it rained a great part of the time. Called on the Archbishop of Tuam, who was on his visitation in Clifden and stopping with the parish priest. There was a number of his clergy with him. The welcome was warm as an Irish welcome always is. This great man now 70 years of age is full of vigour in mind and body. Nothing could exceed his amiability and kind attention. The parish priest was overflowing with good nature.

Thursday 7th July. To Westport. Travelled through country rich in soil and scenery; lakes and bogs diversified and enriched the landscape; with a ruin here and there; no population; the crowbar did its work most effectually. Westport is the best country town I have seen anywhere. There is an air of comfort about it; the houses are clean; Lord Sligo's domain, a splendid reserve well selected, is open to the public. The gate opens on the principal thoroughfare of the town. Visited the Convent of Mercy; a community lately went from it to Sydney (Goulburn). Visited the Cathedral in Tuam. It is indeed deserving of the name; the high altar is in the Italian style of marble and beautifully executed.

Sunday 10th July. In Dublin.

Monday 11th July. Left Clonmel, and thence by car to Mount Melleray. Had an hour's conversation with the Abbot on the subject of sending a community to Melbourne; promised to settle them on the 200 acres in Melbourne. He seemed satisfied, and said he would strive and make arrangements for sending out a community.

Wednesday 13th July. In Dublin. Went to Howth to visit the Archbishop, and got his leave for Mrs. Macguire and two other Sisters of Mercy (Baggot-street), and informed the Rev. Mother of this arrangement.

Friday 15th July. Called on the Sisters of Mercy; left cheque for £50 for Mrs. Macguire towards outfit for the Sisters. At 2 p.m. started for Holyhead.

Saturday 16th July. In London.

Sunday 24th July. At Little Malvern or, as it is commonly called, Morvian. Two old Catholic churches, one a Benedictine abbey church and the other a priory church, also Benedictine, are situated, the former at Great Malvern and the other at Little Malvern. This latter is on Catholic property; the owner is Mr Berrington. This interesting property has been always in the possession of Catholics from the time the monks were dispossessed. The present proprietor told me that he holds the report of commissioners sent to examine the place by Henry VIII's Government with a view to ascertain if there were concealed there vestments, altar furniture, plate, priests, arms, etc. The report is in the negative.

Monday 25th July. Celebrated Mass in the private chapel in Mr. Berrington's house. This was part of the old monastery - very probably the refectory. One or two of the cells are still preserved in good repair, as is also the chapel where Mass was secretly celebrated during the persecution. Thought of going to Hereford to-day, but was disappointed, the coach being full. Visited the old abbey church. The external is in good preservation, but the interior has suffered wofully from Protestant bad taste.

Tuesday 26th July. Laid the foundation-stone of additions to Mr. Berrington's house. Left for Hereford. Visited the old Catholic Cathedral, which is now being restored. It is a noble Gothic edifice. The tomb of St. Thomas of Hereford is carefully preserved in it. There are several monuments of the old Catholic Bishops of this See to be seen here. Went to Belmont, a new Benedictine college lately erected and not quite finished. The ground - five acres - and the church - a handsome Gothic building - are the offerings of a rich convert who has a large property here. The distance of this college from Hereford is two miles. In the town of Hereford is a good large Catholic church and spacious presbytery, built by the Jesuits, but given up by them to the Benedictines on finding that they could not maintain themselves there without largely drawing on the funds of the Society. The Catholics of Hereford are few and poor.

Friday 29th July. In London. Called at the office of the Agent for the Colonies. Clerks lazy and indifferent for lack of employment.