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Although the Irish Capuchins had a long tradition of involvement with the temperance movement, their connection with this apostolate was reinvigorated in 1905 when the Catholic hierarchy invited the Order to preach a ‘national crusade’ on the merits of total abstinence. The Capuchins’ commitment to sobriety as a moral and social ideal was promoted through the founding of lay sodalities and temperance halls where the pledge to abstain from alcohol was taken. The Father Mathew Memorial Hall on Church Street was opened in 1891. Funded by voluntary subscriptions, this temperance hall was built by Joseph Kelly & Sons of Thomas Street, Dublin. The total cost was about £4,000. It was designed by Walter Glynn Doolin and was initially plainly decorated. Before the addition of extensions in 1904 the main auditorium was 73 feet in length and 39 feet wide. In total, there was accommodation for about 900 people. There was also a coffee bar, a billiard room, and a reading room. The interior of the auditorium was greatly embellished in 1909 when an elaborate proscenium arch, stage and gallery were added. The plasterwork was executed by the firm of John Ryan of Upper Abbey Street to the designs of Anthony Scott of O’Connell Street, Dublin. This series comprises records relating to the Hall’s primary function to promote sobriety ‘by providing instruction and healthful amusement’. It should be noted that the Hall’s drama group, band, debating society and athletics’ club were initially only open to total abstainers. The records also reflect the varied social functions of the Hall.

Souvenir programme for St. Brigid’s Aonach held in Father Mathew Hall, Church Street, from 31 January to 5 February 1910. The object of the Fete was ‘to liquidate the heavy debt incurred by the recent extension of the Hall’. The debt of the Hall stood at £3,000. The Aonach consisted of various stands promoting goods of Irish manufacture.

Programmes for the Father Mathew Feis, Church Street. The printed programmes include timetables and syllabuses of competitions, souvenir publications and official prize lists. The programmes list the dates and times of the competitions and the names of the various judges and adjudicators. The adjudicators at the 1913 Feis included Sinéad Ní Fhlannagáin (1878-1975) and Seán S. Ó Ceallaigh (otherwise known as ‘Sceilg’, 1872-1957). Eoin MacNeill (1867-1945) was a literary judge at the 1910 Feis. The programmes for 1909 and 1911 are copy prints from 'The Father Mathew Record'. Programmes for the following years are not extant in the file: 1912; 1932-39.

A programme for concerts given by various prizewinners at the Father Mathew Feis in Dublin in April 1915.

An image captioned as follows 'Pupils of the Mullholland School of Dancing, Belfast, who won the St. Michael's Cup for Hornpipe (under 16) at the Father Mathew Feis, Dublin'. The clipping was taken from the 'Irish Press'.

Blank Father Mathew Feis admittance ticket requesting competitor name, number and competition details.

Photographic print of Fr. Henry Anglin OFM Cap. presenting a prize to Seóirse Bodley, winner of ‘the sight-reading and senior piano cup’ at the Father Mathew Feis. The image is credited to the 'Irish Independent'. A manuscript note by Fr. Anglin is attached to the reverse of the print.

A collection of mostly un-captioned and undated photographs of performances and audiences in Father Mathew Hall, Church Street, Dublin. Many of the photographs are press photographs (mainly from the 'Irish Independent', 'Evening Press' and the 'Irish Press'). They include photographs of pantomimes ('Aladdin', 1956-7) and the ‘Mai MacCartney’ troupe of dancers. The file also includes press photographs of Feis competition winners. Only a few of the prints are annotated: ‘Maria Bennett, Paddy Corr, Phyllis Bennett. Taken by the 'Herald' photographer for “Patience”, May 1956’. There is one annotated colourised print in the file showing two girls called ‘The Dominoes’, Christmas Pantomime, 1952.

An image of young performers in Father Mathew Hall on Church Street in Dublin in about 1955.