Letter from Thomas J. Kiernan to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(F.2/2/45) (Copy)

In conversation with Monsignor Tardini¹ in the Vatican yesterday, I mentioned the loss we suffered recently in the death of Cardinal MacRory.² He said it was unexpected, despite the great age of the Cardinal. Then, referring to the See of Armagh, he said jokingly that the new appointment might mean a difficulty for the Holy Father - a difficulty arising from St. Patrick himself, who chose Armagh as the primatial see; 'but we cannot always confine ourselves to Armagh. Dublin is very important - the centre of Irish Catholic Life'.

Then he referred to his visit to Dublin in 1932; he did not expect to see anything so inspiring this side of Paradise; and said he had sat in the carriage with Mr. Sean T. O'Kelly, at that time Vice-President of the Government and now President of the Irish State.