Register (reception book) of female members of the Third Order of St. Francis attached to the Capuchin Friary in Kilkenny. The title page notes that this register excludes names from ‘the old reception book’. The entries are listed under name, address, date of reception, name of sister, by whom received, and married or single status. Occasional remarks such as ‘deceased’, departed for Dublin, America etc. are also listed for some individuals. Enclosure: A manuscript list of names of sisters of the Third Order in Kilkenny who presented a silver gilt monstrance (at a cost of £107) to the friary (19 Nov. 1909). The names and addresses of the benefactors are given. The final page of the register contains a note by Fr. Canice Bourke OFM Cap. indicating that the book has been closed and a new register opened (11 Apr. 1940).
Monthly attendance record book for the Third Order of St. Francis attached to the Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny. The entries are listed under the names of professed brothers, residence, and record of attendance at monthly meetings. Some of the entry pages are titled ‘Holy Communions’. The first professed brother listed is John O’Connell (See CA KK/4/1/2).
Attendance record book for Third Order brothers attached to the Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny. The entries are listed under the name of the brother with his record of attendance at the (mostly weekly) meetings of the Third Order. Some of the entry pages are titled ‘Holy Communions’. The final pages of the volume contain a register of receptions from circa 1941-2 with other miscellaneous membership and subscription records. With inserts.
Exercise copy book containing a list of brothers of the Third Order of St. Francis attached to the Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny. Entries are listed under name, street and ‘page number in the main register’. Occasional reference is made to the brother’s occupation.
Monthly subscription book for the Third Order of St. Francis attached to the Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny. The entries are listed under name and the amount of the monthly subscription. The end of the volume (circa 34 pp) contains an income and expenditure register from 31 March 1892-31 Dec. 1895. A manuscript list of receptions to the Third Order on Sunday, 5 Dec. 1915 is inserted into the volume. The next volume in this sequence is at CA KK/4/2/11.
Newspaper cutting reporting on a local tradition regarding the Alms’ House attached to the Capuchin Church founded in Kilkenny in the seventeenth century.
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.
Minute book of the Committee of the Total Abstinence Sodality, Father Mathew Hall, Church Street. The volume includes various newspaper clippings reporting the laying of the foundation stone (2 Feb. 1890) and the opening of Father Mathew Hall, Church Street (25 Jan. 1891). The volume includes clippings from the 'Catholic Times', the 'Freeman’s Journal' and the 'Daily Sketch'. The volume also includes manuscript and newspaper clipping reports of weekly public meetings of the sodality in the Hall. The minutes report resolutions in respect of financial accounts, general administration and the ministering of the pledge to members. The meetings were ordinarily chaired by Fr. Columbus Maher OSFC, President of the Sacred Thirst Abstinence League. The final pages of the volume contain newspaper clippings reporting on the death of Fr. Columbus on 10 Sept. 1894. The clippings also cover his funeral and the various tributes paid to him for his work in promoting temperance.
