The 'Feis Maitiú' was established in 1909 by Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap., who saw the need for a festival to encourage people interested in preserving Irish culture and language. The programme for the annual Feiseanna gradually expanded to include competitions for singing, instrumental music, speech and drama, in both English and Irish. The collection consists of organizational records and promotional materials which document the activities of the Father Mathew Feis from its inception. Correspondence and financial records document the development of the Feis, while other records such as competition results, photographs, posters and fliers primarily document competition productions and performances.
Book of newspaper cuttings relating to the Father Mathew Feis in Dublin. Annotations on the top of each page supply the name of the newspaper and (for later inserts) the date of the newspaper clipping. Includes clippings from the 'Irish Independent', 'Daily Mail', and 'Irish Times'. The clippings mainly relate to competitions and records of prize winners at the Feis. Some clippings relate to the history of the Feis and its connection with the Gaelic League and the National Revival. Biographies of various Capuchin friars involved with the Feis are also included (Fr. Michael O’Shea OFM Cap. and Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap.). A manuscript annotation on the second to last page notes the ‘entries for Feis, 1938: Irish Dancing, 1,095; Others, 713; Total, 1,808’. Inserts include a typescript timetable for the Feis an Athar Maitiú, 1937, signed by Fr. Michael O’Shea OFM Cap., President.
Telegram from Fr. Dominic O'Connor OFM Cap. to Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap. announcing his release from prison. The telegram reads 'Released this morning, happy new year / Domhaugart'.
Letters from the Most Rev. William MacNeely, Bishop of Raphoe (1888-1963), to Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap. re arrangements for the purchase of Ards House by the Capuchins. A letter of 1 Mar. 1930 expresses his pleasure on hearing that ‘negotiations with the Land Commission have been successful. About the time of taking over the property, really it does not matter; just make arrangements as you consider convenient’. A letter on 18 Mar. 1930 affirms that the friars ‘may fix up an Oratory at once … as soon as things are in order’.
Memoranda regarding the history and work of the Conference of St. Francis (founded in 1905 by Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap.) in the environs of Greek Street and the Church Street Friary. The note refers to the building of Assisi House adjacent to the Greek Street flat complex opposite St. Michan’s Church of Ireland in which a boys’ club was founded in 1940. The note affirms: ‘In 1963 the premises known as Assisi House had to be demolished to make way for the widening of Church Street and since then we have not been able to find suitable accommodation to carry on our work’.
The file includes: • Reports of the seventh centenary celebrations of the Franciscan Order at St. Mary of the Angels, Church Street ('Irish Catholic', 5 Jan. 1927; 'Irish Independent', 31 Jan. 1927). Includes photographic prints of Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap. and Fr. Angelus Healy OFM Cap. An image of the High Altar in the Church decorated with a banner (‘Saint Francis / Pray for Us’) is also included. • Report of a talk on ‘Industrial Conciliation Boards’ by Fr. Thomas Dowling OSFC in the Rotary Club, Dublin. 'Evening Herald', 6 Nov. 1922. • An article on the Irish Tertiary Pilgrimage to Rome led by Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap., Fr. Columbus Murphy OFM Cap. and Fr. Canice Bourke OFM Cap. of the Church Street Friary. 'Irish Independent', 12 Oct. 1926. • ‘The Franciscan Year / Solemn Opening / Ceremonies at St. Mary of the Angels, Dublin / Eloquent Sermon by the Most Rev. Sylvester Mulligan OSFC, Definitor General, Rome’. 'Irish Catholic', 7 Aug. 1926. • ‘The Capuchins / A Great Franciscan Reform / Foundation of the Irish Province’. c.1925. • ‘Honouring the memory of the men of Easter Week’. A clipping of a print showing a procession organised by Cumann 1916 which left St. Mary of the Angels, Church Street, for Glasnevin Cemetery. 'Freeman’s Journal', 25 Apr. 1922.
Costs of Thomas J. Furlong, 11 Eustace Street, solicitor, to Fr. Peter (Edward) Bowe OSFC and others for preparing a deed of conveyance to vest Church property in nine members of the community as joint tenants and for a power of attorney from Fr. Anthony (John) Travers OSFC (resident in Tasmania) to Fr. Aloysius (William) Travers OSFC. Total cost: £33 5s 4d. 2 copies. With letters from Thomas J. Furlong to Fr. Angelus Healy OSFC and Fr. Paul Neary OSFC referring to a deed executed by Miss Maher on 19 Aug. 1897 conveying the property bequeathed to her following the death of her brother (Fr. Patrick Joseph Columbus Maher OSFC, died 10 Sept. 1894) to the Capuchin community on Church Street.
