The series contains a large collection of published works and biographical accounts dealing with the life of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC. The collection also includes works relating to various teetotal and temperance movements in Ireland from the mid-nineteenth century onwards. Many of the publications listed below are connected with the temperance revival of the late nineteenth century exemplified by the foundation of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association by Fr. James Cullen SJ in 1898. The works are listed in chronological order by date of publication.
James McKenna (d. 1846) played a key role in the founding of the Cork Total Abstinence Society (CTAS) in 1838. He also acted as Fr. Mathew’s principal travelling secretary during the early years of his campaign. McKenna made extensive efforts to publicise the movement through newspaper advertising, the printing of posters, pamphlets and handbills but the most comprehensive expression of his temperance philosophy is preserved in his manuscript history of the movement. McKenna kept his voluminous records of the CTAS’s progress in his 'History of the Temperance Reformation in Ireland, England and Scotland by James McKenna, Chief Travelling and Confidential Secretary to the Very Reverend Theobald Mathew'. This eclectic, meticulously hand-written collection of hundreds of outsized pages of transcribed material was woven together in McKenna’s own strident presentation. The text recorded very many of the activities connected Fr. Mathew’s temperance campaign from 1838 to 1846. McKenna intended to publish his account, as the definitive, triumphal and popular history of what seemed like a permanent social revolution. McKenna’s sudden death (in Cork in 1846), and the temperance crusade’s rapid retreat, likely combined to prevent the manuscript’s publication. Although of dubious literary merit, McKenna’s manuscript represents an extremely important source for Fr. Mathew’s temperance crusade. The text is preserved in the Irish Capuchin Archives.
The series contains correspondence, publications, posters, circulars, newspaper cuttings and ephemera relating to various commemorations of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC from the late nineteenth century onward. The series has been divided into seven sub-series relating to a particular anniversary (centenary or bicentenary) or commemoration of Fr. Mathew and his temperance crusade.
This series includes material relating to the promotion of total abstinence by organisations which emerged in response to the late nineteenth century temperance revival. The files comprise material from both local and national organisations such as the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA) founded in 1893. The section also includes minute books, fliers, publications and ephemera created by Capuchin-founded local temperance societies such as the League of the Sacred Thirst (established by Fr. Albert Mitchell OSFC in 1880) and the League of the Young Irish Crusaders (initiated by Fr. Aloysius Travers OSFC in 1909). Much of the publicity and commemorative material generated by these abstinent societies focused on Fr. Mathew’s legacy as a temperance pioneer and leader.
A small collection of records relating to Father Mathew Hall, Cork, which was opened in 1907. The series is divided into two sub-series. The first includes general organisational records and the second contains material relating to the Feis Maitiú Corcaigh.
This section includes various books and journals of account (for example, ledgers of accounts payable, accounts received and cash receipts). The records detail annual audits and routine household and community expenditure. The series also includes records relating to tax returns and bills (property and municipal rates), and insurance policies covering fire, engineering, and public liabilities. Accounts of monies derived from street collections and annual quests are also included in this section.
The series contains the correspondence of Irish Capuchin missionary friars chronicling their work in both South Africa and in Northern Rhodesia (later Zambia). Much of the correspondence is with Provincial Ministers, Provincial Secretaries and Mission Secretaries and includes letters from overseas’ superiors regarding personnel and administrative matters, health care and education projects, evangelization and ministry, and financial matters. Many of the early letters provide personal accounts of the missionary’s activities with details of their work in the field.
Handwritten and typescript annals from Killarney Presentation Community. The Annals which relate the story of the Community since its foundation on 2 October 1793 to its closure on 17 November 2021 form the basis of this series.
This series of books of a religious nature give a clear indication of the interest of the Sisters in Religious life as it was lived both within their own congregation and in Australia. Includes the following items: Black covered bound notebook, very old important item – Part of the Rules and Constitutions of the Presentation Order for the convent at Killarney.Handwritten Rule for the community in Killarney by Bishop Francis Moylan, Bishop of Cork, 22 July 1806. 2 hard backed bound notebooks with handwritten Rules. Constitutions of the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Victoria, Australia 1915. Rules and Constitutions of the Institute of the Religious Sisters of the Presentation of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary, 1809. Rules and Constitutions of the Institute of the Religious sisterhood of the Presentation of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary, 1854. Canonical Legislation concerning Religious 1981. Regulations of the Presentation Religious Killarney. Institute of the Religious sisterhood – Constitutions 1809. Constitutions Diocese of Kerry 1939. Constitutions 1935. Provincial Amalgamation of the Nuns of the Presentation Order in the State of Victoria, Australia Report of Conference Supplementary Rules. Folder File includes letters from the Mother General, Sr. M. Finbarr O’ Connell, to Communities regarding the changes in the rules pertaining to the daily religious Life of the Sisters during the 1960s.
