Souvenir programme for the opening of an extension to Father Mathew Hall, Church Street. The programme provides an itinerary and guide to the first Father Mathew Feis, the Irish Trade Mark Exhibition and the Father Mathew Museum. The literary adjudicators for the Feis were Eoin MacNeill, Brian O’Higgins, George O’Moonan and Sinéad Ní Fhlannagáin. The new extension included a stage, dressing rooms, storage rooms, a new gallery, a ‘lantern and cinematograph operating chamber’ and a refreshment room.
‘Irish National Insurance Co. Ltd. 1949 “Every hour diary”’ containing newspaper clippings mostly relating to performances, recitals, and musical events at the Father Mathew Hall. Includes notices of winners in various Feis competitions. Most of the clippings contain annotations identifying the paper and date (mostly take from the 'Irish Press', 'Dublin Evening Mail', and 'Irish Independent'). Includes photographic prints of many of the Capuchin friars involved with the Feis (Fr. Henry Anglin OFM Cap. and Fr. Gerald McCann OFM Cap.).
Book of newspaper cuttings relating to the Father Mathew Feis. The first page of the volume contains cuttings reporting on the funeral of Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap. (d. 2 May 1957) and the tributes paid to him at the Feis. The remainder of the newspaper clippings cover performances, recitals, and prize winners at the Feis Maitiu. Other cuttings refer to prize winners at Feis Ceoils in Sligo and in Dublin (1957-8). The volume appears to have been originally used a register of members of the Hall (circa Dec. 1920), and as a ledger of books purchased for the Father Mathew Temperance Hall Library (pp 63-9 contains a manuscript ‘list of books received on Feb. 26th 1921’).
Annual reports and statements of accounts of Father Mathew Hall, Church Street. The booklets provide reports on annual general meetings, activities, speeches and events held in the Hall and provide annual accounts of receipts and expenditure. The 1901 report (pp 20-3) gives an account of a speech by Pádraig Pearse in the Hall on 2 March 1902 commending the giving of classes ‘for the study of our native language, and forms of self-culture amongst our members.’ He added ‘There is a certain bad old tradition that one cannot be a good Irishman unless he “takes a dhrop”. Now, I think you will all allow if there is one body in Ireland which is concerned more than another for the maintenance of genuine Irish traditions, that body is the Gaelic League … [and] in the ranks of no body in Ireland will you find proportionally so many total abstainers as in those of the Gaelic League’. Pearse suggested that there should be more cooperation between the Gaelic League and the temperance movement. In 1906, it was reported (p. 20) that ‘owing to several exceptional expenses, rendered necessary by the increase of membership and the extension of temperance work, we have not been able to reduce our indebtedness to the Bank’. The statement of accounts noted that £1,405 6s 5d was owed to the National Bank by December 1906. The front covers of the booklets have ink drawings of the Hall fronting onto Church Street.
The volume contains information in respect of ticket sales and cash derived from various lectures and concert performances at Father Mathew Hall, Church Street. The Hall was regularly frequented by those interested in promoting cultural revivalist activities such as storytelling and festivals of native song and dance. The volume records that Pádraig Pearse gave a lecture in the Hall entitled ‘Education in Ancient Ireland’ on 20 Nov. 1905. On 29 Jan. 1906, the Chevalier Sheeran gave a talk on subject of the ‘alleged atrocities in the Congo Free State’. Each entry is signed by a secretary or officer of the Hall Committee. The signatories include J.W. Whitmore and J. Scanlan.
Expenditure and receipt book for Father Mathew Hall, Church Street. An annotation on the front cover reads ‘Day book’. The entries are recorded under date, details and totals of expenses and receipts. Most of the expenditure relates to services and utilities such as rent, electricity, salaries and repairs. The receipts record monies mostly accruing from the showing of films, the sales of tickets and badges, and the use of the Hall for cards and billiards games.
Expenditure and receipt book for Father Mathew Hall, Church Street. The first two pages of the volume contain a ‘History of Fr. Mathew Hall’ copied from an earlier ledger (see CA HA/1/3/8). An entry on page 6 refers to the order of the Hall Committee for the discontinuation of the showing of motion pictures (Oct. 1937). Expenditure is listed under the headings of details, cash and cheques. Receipts are listed under details, cash and lodgements. The entries for expenditure include figures for rents, rates and taxes, salaries, utilities and the purchase of various sundries. The receipts include monies accruing from the sales of tickets and the use of the billiards room.
Letter from Kevin J. Wilson, auctioneer, Dame Street, Dublin, to Fr. Livinus Keane OFM Cap., President, regarding the valuation of Father Mathew Hall and interior fittings. Wilson affirmed that the ‘entire property is held on a lease for 150 years at a rent of £100. The Hall is used as an amusement hall and has accommodation for 750 people and 3 exits. … Adjoining the said hall there are 6 cottages, which are let at 8s 9d per week’. The entire valuation of the Hall property is given as £47,000.
