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.
Flier from the Halston Street Total Abstinence Society seeking subscriptions to fund the building of a new Hall on a site ‘secured at the junction of Church Street and Bedford Street’. The flier notes that ‘until now the work [of the Sodality] has been done in a wretchedly small hall which is no longer available for the perpetuation and increase of this great social reform’. The flier also provides a list of subscriptions for the fund.
Calendar for 1921 issued by the Father Mathew Total Abstinence Sodality, Church Street. The calendar provides information on subscribing to Father Mathew Hall (a temperance sodality for men) and to St. Brigid’s Hall (a temperance sodality for women).
Cash account of John Lanigan & Nolan, solicitors, with the Capuchin friars, Kilkenny. The account relates to legal fees for the collection of rents and the payment of rates for the period 1940-9. With a cover letter to Fr. Conrad O’Donovan OFM Cap.
Correspondence regarding the sale of properties in Kilkenny city formerly held in trust by the late Fr. Thomas (Hilary) McDonagh OFM Cap. and subsequently held by the FMC Trust. The file specifically relates to the sale to Thomas J. Barrett of a three-storey building over a ground floor shop located at No. 19 Rose Inn Street, The Parade, Kilkenny, and to a house situated at No. 1 Castlecomer Road. The correspondents include Fr. Daniel (Nicholas) O’Brien OFM Cap., secretary of the FMC Trust, John Lanigan & Nolan, solicitors, Donal O’Buachalla, valuers and estate agents, and John Stanton & Sons, solicitors. With manuscript notes regarding title to the said properties which John Lanigan affirms is ‘rather “messy” as most of the deeds appear to have been lost’ (5 Jan. 1972).
Scale: 1 inch to 60 feet Section and plan of proposed additions to the Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny by Samuel F. Hynes, architect, 41 South Mall, Cork. The plan is titled ‘Drawing No. 3’ and contains ‘section AB’ and ‘section CD’ for the building work. The plan is signed by the architect. (See CA KK/2/4/4).
Scale: 1 inch to 60 feet Elevation and section of proposed additions to the Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny, by Samuel F. Hynes, architect, 41 South Mall, Cork. The plan is titled ‘Drawing No. 5’. The elevation shows the building fronting onto the adjoining Pennyfeather Lane.
Scale: ½ inch Design for altar rails for the Church of St. Francis, Kilkenny by Samuel F. Hynes, architect, Cork. The three designs are titled ‘Altar rail to Nave, designs A & B’, ‘North Aisle’, and ‘South Aisle’. The design is signed by the architect.
