List of articles, records and relics relating to Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC stored in a ‘wardrobe’ in Holy Trinity Friary. A note attached to the page indicates that some of these items were moved to Dublin (probably to the Provincial Archives in Dublin). The list covers pp 15a-17 in the Holy Trinity archival volume. Reference is made in the list to 'Fr. Dominic O'Connor's commission as a military chaplain for George V in 1916'. An addendum at the end of the list reads 'On the whole this collection isn't worth much. But there are notes left in O'Connor album and in case which show there were articles here that are no longer here. I conjecture they were taken to Dublin. This is the remains of a collection for museums Fr. Thomas [Dowling OFM Cap.] got together for the Cork [International] Exhibition [1902]'.
The series includes lantern slides and glass plate photographic images relating to the life and career of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC (1790-1856), a famed nineteenth century temperance campaigner and Capuchin friar. It is very probable that these lantern slides were used as illustrative aids by the Capuchins for public talks and auditorium lectures on Fr. Mathew’s campaign against intoxicating liquor. Temperance activity was revived in 1905 when the Irish Catholic hierarchy invited the Capuchins to preach a National Crusade. This revival generated widespread public enthusiasm and by 1912 the Capuchins had administered over a million pledges throughout the country. The lanterns slides were, in all probability, used in this campaign. The collection includes images of various places associated with Fr. Mathew’s life and notable events associated with his crusade against intoxicating liquor which began in Cork in 1838. Other images relate to later commemorations of Fr. Mathew and include photographs of the ‘Father Mathew Pavilion’ at the Cork International Exhibition of 1902 which displayed historical artefacts, devotional objects and personal paraphernalia associated with his campaign.
A lantern slide showing a print of a banquet in honour of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC. The print is captioned 'Temperance banquet in Cork, 1840' and is taken from 'The Illustrated London News', February, 1840.
A view of a large crowd at the centenary celebrations for the birth of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC in Cork on 10 October 1890. The location is Holy Trinity Church which was originally commissioned by Fr. Mathew in 1825. The principal speaker at the celebration was Sir John Pope Hennessy (1834-91), a Cork-born MP and British colonial administrator who had previously served as governor of Hong Kong. He is visible in the centre of the crowded platform, standing with arms folded. In his speech, Hennessy referred to the part that Fr. Mathew had played in improving the conditions of the working population of Cork.
An image of a print titled: ‘Shadows of the Past’. The print shows a silhouette of Fr. Mathew administering the temperance pledge to John Francis Maguire MP (1815-1872).
An image of a print showing the deathbed scene of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC in Queenstown, County Cork, on 8 December 1856. The plate is by Mayne, Lord Edward Street, Dublin.
A letter from Fr. T.J. Walsh, South Presbytery, George's Quay, Cork, to Fr. Senan Moynihan OFM Cap., providing information on the photographs accompanying his article on the Capuchins in Cork which he published in 'The Capuchin Annual'. Particular reference is made to images associated with Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC.
