The flier refers to the foundation by Fr. Benvenutus Guy OSFC of St. Joseph’s League which was approved by the Most Rev. William J. Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin, and provides details of its government and organisation. Article 6 notes that ‘members [are] to wear a badge to distinguish them from other boys. By the wearing of this badge they are expected to avoid the company of wicked boys, and to do all in their power to crush vice of every kind, especially evil speaking in those with whom they have to come in contact with’.
A carte de visite of members of the Catholic Boys' Brigade founded on Church Street in Dublin in March 1894. The photographic print (on card) was produced by W.F. O’Connor, 1 Wellington Quay, corner of Parliament Street, Dublin.
Circular letter from the Catholic Boys’ Brigade Committee, Capuchin Friary, Church Street. The circular refers to the enrollment of over two thousand young boys and the need for subscriptions for the organisation. It reads: ‘The work is Catholic and essentially non-political … The premises at 156 Church Street have been purchased in fee, and are undergoing the necessary alterations. Good Brass and Fife and Drum Bands are in course of organisation; uniforms have to be provided for the boys, many initial expenses are incurred’. The file contains three copies of the document.
The clippings relate mainly to notifications of public meetings, events, entertainments, and parades associated with the Boys’ Brigade, Church Street. Some of the clippings also provide lists of subscribers and details of fund-raising efforts. Includes clippings from the 'Freeman’s Journal', 'Daily Nation', 'Daily Express', and 'Evening Telegraph'. Some of the annotated clippings were loosely inserted into a hard-covered volume (21 cm x 14 cm) which was ink-stamped on the inside cover ‘Catholic Boys’ Brigade, Church Street, Dublin’.
A letter from the examiner of claims in relation to an application for an income tax exemption (charity) for the Catholic Boys’ Brigade, Church Street.
Letter from James J. Darragh, 154 North King Street, to Lieutenant McNamara thanking Boys’ Brigade members for their messages of condolence on the death of his mother. Darragh added ‘All I can say is that as long as I am connected with the Brigade (and which I intend to be for many years I hope, in spite of the many mean tricks that are being resorted to try to get me out of it), I will always look after the interests of the officers …’.
Letter from the Most Rev. Abraham Brownrigg, Bishop of Ossory, to Fr. Peter Bowe OSFC, Provincial Minister, referring to an anonymous letter published in the 'Kilkenny Journal' appearing to advocate ‘the introduction of a Boys’ Brigade into Kilkenny to be worked by and under the supervision of your fathers in Walkin Street’. Brownrigg expresses his disapproval of such a proposal. With a letter from Fr. Jarlath Hynes OSFC assuring the Bishop that ‘our fathers in Kilkenny have no knowledge whatsoever of the anonymous letter … nor has there ever been any question or thought amongst us … of having anything to do with a Boys’ Brigade in your city’.
A series of eight photographic prints of boys probably initiated into the Catholic Boys’ Brigade on Church Street in Dublin. The prints were found in an annotated envelope: ‘Mr. Peter Tierney’s Photos’. Tierney was an early organiser of the Boys’ Brigade. All the boys are barefoot and are dressed in worn rags and torn clothing. Two of the prints depict a pair of boys, possibly brothers. One of these prints is annotated on the reverse: ‘two recruits’. Two of the prints were produced by W.F. O’Connor, 1 Wellington Quay, corner of Parliament Street, Dublin.
