MS 39 McNeill Correspondence
Special Collections at Queen’s University is pleased to announce that we have a new manuscript collection ready for viewing.
McNeill Correspondence (MS 39) offers a window into the life and work of Mary Alice McNeill, a distinguished figure in Belfast’s cultural and social history. This collection comprises 163 letters written by McNeill, affectionately known as Molly, to her sister Margaret Fink (Peg/Peggy). McNeill held several notable positions, including Secretary for the Irish Christian Fellowship, Honorary Secretary of the Northern Committee of the Irish Association for Cultural, Economic, and Social Relations, and board member of the Belfast Charitable Society from 1945 to 1964. She authored three biographies: The Life and Times of Mary Ann McCracken: A Belfast Panorama (1960), Little Tom Drennan (1962), and Vere Foster (1971). In recognition of her contributions, Queen’s University Belfast awarded her an Honorary M.A. in 1961.
The MS 39 collection comprises McNeill’s correspondence from 1945 to 1978, providing rich insights into her personal reflections and professional engagements. For instance, a letter dated November 24, 1946, from Mount Charles, Belfast, addressed to ‘Peg,’ discusses topics ranging from international affairs involving America, Russia, and Germany, to her admiration for Thomas Traherne, and mentions the Children’s Bill and associated work. Another letter from October 11, 1968, McNeill comments on the activities of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Committee in Derry and the Civil Liberties marches in Belfast and Derry. She mentions political figures such as E. McAteer and discusses the broader political situation in Northern Ireland.
Notably, the correspondence reveals McNeill’s meticulous research process for her biography of Mary Ann McCracken. She details her examination of minute books from the Belfast Charitable Society, her evenings spent studying microfilmed letters at Queen’s University library, and her efforts to locate McCracken family miniatures, which led her to correspond with descendants as far as Bloemfontein, South Africa.
These letters not only shed light on McNeill’s multifaceted roles but also provide a personal perspective on the socio-political climate of her time. Researchers and enthusiasts can delve into these correspondences to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and McNeill’s significant contributions.
For those interested in exploring this collection further, the detailed listing of the Mary Alice McNeill letters is available through Queen’s University Belfast’s Special Collections MS39 McNeill Correspondence.
MS 39 McNeill Correspondence can be consulted by appointment, please contact us by emailing [email protected]