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Two photographs of the Father Mathew Hall Orchestra on stage. The group includes Fr. Gerald McCann OFM Cap. (front row, fifth from the right). Ink stamp on the reverse of one the prints reads: ‘Thomas Mathews, photographer, 6 Wynnfield Rd., Rathmines, Dublin’.

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.

A view of the interior of the Father Mathew Pavilion at the Cork International Exhibition of 1902. The image shows a large decorative banner and models of Holy Trinity Church in Cork, and Thomastown Castle, County Tipperary, the childhood home of Fr. Mathew. The plate is captioned.

An image of Fr. Thomas Dowling OSFC (1874-1951) standing outside the entrance to the Father Mathew Pavilion at the Cork International Exhibition in 1902.

An interior view of the Father Mathew Pavilion at the Cork International Exhibition of 1902. The image shows a decorated altar with candlesticks, bells and books. A large portrait painting of Fr. Mathew is visible on the rear wall.

An interior view of the Father Mathew Pavilion at the Cork International Exhibition in 1902. The image shows what appears to be a model of the Father Mathew Statue on St. Patrick's Street in Cork by John Henry Foley (1818-1874), various vestments, a bust of Father Mathew, and other paraphernalia.

A decorative silver trowel commemorating the laying of the top-stone of the Father Mathew Statue on Sackville (O’Connell) Street, Dublin, on 13 Oct. 1890. The inscription on the trowel reads:
‘The Father Mathew Centenary / Presented to the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of Dublin on the occasion of the laying of the top stone of the pedestal of statue to the Great Apostle of Temperance Rev. Theobald Mathew. Signed on behalf of the Committee / Charles A. Cameron FRCSI, Archibald J. Nicolls LLB, George Noble Plunkett, Henry Wigham. Hon. Secs., Central Committee, Mansion House, Dublin, 13th Oct. 1890’. The silver is hallmarked.

A night-time view of the Father Mathew Statue and behind it the scaffolded façade of the Carlton Cinema on O’Connell Street in Dublin.

A view of the statue of Father Mathew (designed by John Henry Foley) on St. Patrick’s Street, Cork. Tram lines are visible in the background.

Father Mathew Temperance Medal
c.1840-1850
Diameter: 4.4 cm
Silver Medal
Physical description:
• Face (front): Fr. Mathew addresses the kneeling crowd. Outer rim inscription reads ‘May God bless you and grant you grace and strength to keep your promise.
Obverse: Outer edge inscription reads ‘Dedicated to the Very Rev. Theobald Mathew. Centre: ‘Whose / exertions / have laid the / foundation of his country’s happiness / and merited / the admiration / of mankind’.
A green and white ribbon in the form of a crucifix (with pin) is attached.

Total Abstinence Society Medal
c.1840-1850
Diameter: 4.4 cm
Silver Medal
Physical description:
• Face (front): Man and woman on pedestal on which two children are seated. The adults carry a shield surmounted by a cross, with an angel above. The upper part of the shield has a lamb bearing a banner. The man bears a banner with the words ‘sobriety’. The woman bears a banner with the words ‘Domestic Comfort’. Outer-edge inscription reads: ‘In hoc signo vinces’.
Obverse: Cruciform text of pledge. Outer edge inscription reads: ‘Total Abstinence Society, The Very Rev. T. Mathew, President’.
A green ribbon with pin is attached.

Total Abstinence Society Medal
1840
Diameter: 4.4 cm
Silver Medal in Glass
Physical description:
• Face (front): Man and woman on pedestal on which two children are seated. The adults carry a shield surmounted by a cross, with an angel above left of the cross. The upper part of the shield has a lamb bearing a banner. The man bears a banner with the words ‘sobriety’. The woman bears a banner with the words ‘Domestic Comfort’. Outer-edge inscription reads: ‘In hoc signo vinces’.
Obverse: Cruciform text of pledge encircled by title of society, president (Fr. Theobald Mathew), and the date of foundation (10 Apr. 1838).
A large green ribbon is attached with the following embroidered text ‘F ✙ M / 1840 / God Save Ireland’. The ribbon is partially torn. Very careful manual handling is required.

Medal of the Army Temperance Association, India
1862
Oval-shaped silver medal
4 cm x 3 cm
Physical Description:
• Medal of the Soldiers’ Total Abstinence Association in India. The inscription the face reads ‘Watch and be sober’. Inscription the obverse reads ‘The Association Medal for Fidelity India’.
Note: After 1902 the Victoria Memorial Medal was adopted and used by Indian Organisations of the Royal Army Temperance Association as a Two-Year Medal.

Temperance Medal Ribbon
1889
Physical Description:
• A green ribbon with silver crucifix attached bearing the inscription ‘Presented to the Very Rev. Fr. Columbus [Maher] OSFC / President / Feb. 1889’. The ribbon would have been originally attached to a temperance medal. Fr. Columbus Maher OSFC (1835-1894) was President of the Father Mathew Temperance Association attached to St. Mary of the Angels, Church Street, Dublin.