The series includes records relating to temperance missions preached by the Irish Capuchin friars in the late nineteenth century and in the early years of the twentieth century. In October 1905 the Irish Catholic hierarchy called upon the Capuchins to undertake a nationwide temperance crusade. The friars preached dozens of temperance missions in parishes throughout the country. It was noted in 1912 that their ‘labours in the parishes partook much of the character of short missions or spiritual exercises, sometimes for three days, often times for a week, and not infrequently a fortnight … going from parish to parish, as consecutively as possibly, over a district. Experience proves that in the question of drink, the influence of one locality tells very much for good or for evil’ (CA MR-1-2-1-4). The series includes local mission reports, subscription and pledge-taking records, correspondence, publicity material, ephemera and newspaper reports relating to the temperance crusade.
This series comprises historical catalogues and schedules of papers held in the Archives of the Capuchin Friary in Kilkenny. Some of the papers listed in these catalogues are now held in the Provincial Archives in Dublin. Other records referenced in the catalogues have evidently been lost. See also the large bound volume titled ‘Archives of the Franciscan Capuchin Monastery, Kilkenny’ at CA KK/1/3/1.
A small collection of records relating to the Temperance Hall built on the grounds of the Capuchin Friary, Rochestown, County Cork. The Hall was officially opened for public use on 15 December 1913 by the Lord Mayor of Cork and Fr. Thomas Dowling OSFC (1874-1951), Provincial Minister. It consisted of a concert-platform, an auditorium, and spacious committee rooms which could also be used as classrooms. Despite the decline of the temperance movement, the Hall continued to function as a venue for local drama, music and dancing productions. Fr. Declan McFadden OFM Cap. (1901-1979) later strove to re-organise the management of the building which changed its name to Marian Hall in the early 1950s. Having laid vacant for many years, the former Temperance Hall at Rochestown was finally demolished in the 1990s.
This section includes files relating to the Capuchin community resident in Ard Mhuire Friary. The series includes records relating to various aspects of their religious life, to their ministries and their interactions with the clergy of the diocese of Raphoe and with various lay fraternities and associations.
This series comprises historical catalogues and schedules of records held in the archives of Holy Trinity Friary in Cork. Some of the material noted in these catalogues is now extant in the Irish Capuchin Archives. However, other archival material referenced in these descriptive lists has now evidently been lost.
This series includes records relating to Irish Capuchin missionary work in Zambia (previously Northern Rhodesia) which commenced in 1931. The series contains correspondence, visitation reports, minutes, newsletters and missionary magazines, travelogues, linguistic material, regional histories, and personal mission journals. The collection also includes a very large collection of photographic albums and prints. The papers are a rich source for church and mission history. As the work of the missionaries in Zambia embraced not just evangelism, but also, for example, education, medical work, language study and translations, and the development of local agriculture and industry, these records are a valuable source for study across a wide range of research interests.
This series includes records relating to Irish Capuchin missionary activity in South Africa which commenced with the arrival of the first friars in 1929. The series comprises material such as correspondence, financial reports, minutes, journals, newsletters, maps, publications and a collection of photographic albums and prints.
A large collection of newspapers, broadsheets and daily bulletins relating to the independence struggle. The republican newspapers, publicity material and political ephemera collected by the Irish Capuchins are particularly important as they cover a broad spectrum of nationalist political debate. A good number of the Irish Capuchins were privately sympathetic to the republican side and maintained close contacts with many prominent Anti-Treaty figures. Many of the republican newspapers and bulletins accumulated by the friars covered the day-to-day conduct of the Civil War and contain information not found elsewhere in the contemporary press since the daily newspaper titles published little or nothing originating from the Anti-Treaty side.
The series contains souvenir booklets and miscellaneous ephemera and artefacts relating to the 1916 Rising. Most of the booklets contain photographic postcards depicting various figures, events and artefacts associated with the Easter Rising and its aftermath.
A collection of personal papers of Fr. Columbus Murphy OFM Cap. relating to his involvement with republican combatants and other individuals during the 1916 Rising.
