Annual reports of the Catholic Boys’ Brigade, Dublin. The reports mainly refer to the history and work of the organisation, the numbers of enrolments and to the on-going need for subscriptions from benefactors. The annual report for the year ending 1899 noted that ‘with regret we have had to refuse situations to well-deserving members, who through poverty or neglect, never enjoyed the advantage of being taught their letters. This terrible drawback … set us thinking as to how we might devise a plan, which would enable us to do something for these poor illiterate lads, and afford them an opportunity of at least a sound rudimentary education. It was with great therefore, that we saw our long-cherished wishes realised on the 10th October when we were able to open a much-needed "Night School" in connection with the Catholic Boys’ Brigade’.
Notices of meetings of the Catholic Boys’ Brigade Committee, Church Street. The file includes invitations requesting attendance at annual meetings which were held in the Brigade Hall, Church Street. The notices and resolutions are mainly signed by James J. Darragh, Honorary Secretary, and refer to routine administrative matters including the election of officers, expenditure and accounts, the arrangement of rooms and premises, the repair of the Hall, and various rules and constitutional matters. The file also includes the correspondence of Fr. Fiacre Brophy OSFC and James J. Darragh regarding a dispute within the committee regarding an amendment to rule 10 of the constitution which noted that the ‘Brigade shall be governed by the President assisted by a Capuchin Father as Vice President who shall be appointed by the President. … The President alone shall have authority in spiritual matters – the lay members being responsible for the financial affairs’.
Constitution of the Catholic Boys’ Brigade authorised under the patronage of the Most Rev. William J. Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin. One copy is endorsed on the front cover ‘Founded by Fr. Benvenutus Guy OFM Cap.’. The file contains eight copies of the document.
A blank notice of affiliation certifying that a branch of the Catholic Boys’ Brigade, known as ‘St. Peter’s Battalion’, has been established in the Parish of St. Peter’s, Belfast. The certificate notes that the battalion has been affiliated to the central organisation at Church Street, Dublin.
Photograph of a religious print commemorating St. Joseph’s League, a precursor to the Dublin Catholic Boys’ Brigade. The picture frame is adorned with rosary beads and a tertiary scapular of the Sisters of Charity.
Letter from Joseph W. Cleary, National Education Office, to Fr. Mark McDonnell OSFC, Church Street, enclosing a printed draft of the rules (particularly in respect of funding) for Evening National Schools. With a letter from P.E. Lemass to Fr. Peter Bowe OSFC informing him that St. Francis’ Male Evening School has been recognised by the Office of National Education. Also includes a memorandum noting that St. Francis’ School has received a capitation grant of £15 15s 0d from the Commissioners of Education.
Letter from Michael J. Dwyer, Main Street, Roscrea, to Fr. Peter Bowe OSFC, expressing his joy in having a branch of the organisation established in Roscrea.
List of class hours undertaken by Mr. J.J. Doyle with young officers of the Catholic Boys’ Brigade. The total numbers of hours are noted as seventeen. With an addition: ‘Paid with thanks, J.J. Doyle’.
On the evening of 2 September 1913 two overcrowded tenement buildings at 66 and 67 Church Street collapsed. The two buildings were situated opposite the Capuchin Friary on the street. Of those trapped in the buildings, seven died (including three children) and many others were left seriously injured. Over 100 people were left homeless and destitute. The tragedy, occurring at a time of heightened political and labour unrest, highlighted the dreadful conditions of many of the buildings in Dublin, both in terms of the physical fabric of the dwellings and the endemic overcrowding in inner city tenements. A report on the disaster was presented to the British Parliament in February 1914, but with the outbreak of war in the summer of that year housing conditions in Irish capital ceased to be a political priority.
A clipping from the 'Daily Mirror' (5 Sept. 1913) reporting on the 'children killed in the tenement collapse' on Church Street. A manuscript annotation on the clipping reads 'left Fr. Jarlath [Hynes]. Right Fr. Paul [Neary]. Gentleman smoking cigarette is Mr. M. Moynihan C.E., Fr. Kevin's [Moynihan] brother'.
