Two plates with images of separate groups of Capuchin friars in Kilkenny. The file includes an annotated envelope which reads ‘two films on plates of group in Kilkenny’. The annotation (by Fr. Angelus Healy OFM Cap.) provides some names but they are illegible.
A view of the waterfall called the ‘Dropping Well’ near Knaresborough in North Yorkshire, England. An original file number (2737) is extant on the print.
A stereo plate showing an unidentified deceased Capuchin friar. The scene also shows a nurse and another individual. This is probably an image of a deceased Fr. Sebastian O’Brien OFM Cap. (1867-1931).
An image of a Capuchin friar sitting on a stone wall along a country road probably near Rochestown in County Cork. The friar in the image is possibly Fr. Aloysius Travers OSFC (1870-1957).
The series includes lantern slides and glass plate photographic images relating to the life and career of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC (1790-1856), a famed nineteenth century temperance campaigner and Capuchin friar. It is very probable that these lantern slides were used as illustrative aids by the Capuchins for public talks and auditorium lectures on Fr. Mathew’s campaign against intoxicating liquor. Temperance activity was revived in 1905 when the Irish Catholic hierarchy invited the Capuchins to preach a National Crusade. This revival generated widespread public enthusiasm and by 1912 the Capuchins had administered over a million pledges throughout the country. The lanterns slides were, in all probability, used in this campaign. The collection includes images of various places associated with Fr. Mathew’s life and notable events associated with his crusade against intoxicating liquor which began in Cork in 1838. Other images relate to later commemorations of Fr. Mathew and include photographs of the ‘Father Mathew Pavilion’ at the Cork International Exhibition of 1902 which displayed historical artefacts, devotional objects and personal paraphernalia associated with his campaign.
A lantern slide showing a print of a banquet in honour of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC. The print is captioned 'Temperance banquet in Cork, 1840' and is taken from 'The Illustrated London News', February, 1840.
A view of a large crowd at the centenary celebrations for the birth of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC in Cork on 10 October 1890. The location is Holy Trinity Church which was originally commissioned by Fr. Mathew in 1825. The principal speaker at the celebration was Sir John Pope Hennessy (1834-91), a Cork-born MP and British colonial administrator who had previously served as governor of Hong Kong. He is visible in the centre of the crowded platform, standing with arms folded. In his speech, Hennessy referred to the part that Fr. Mathew had played in improving the conditions of the working population of Cork.
An image of a temperance banner from the ‘Father Mathew Total Abstinence Association, Church Street. IRELAND SOBER IS IRELAND FREE!’. The banner was printed by An Clú Cumann, Limited, Gaelic Printers, Great Strand Street, Dublin.
