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.
The series contains a large collection of historical research notes, correspondence and transcripts relating to the life and temperance campaign of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC. The series has been divided into seven sub-series and includes compilations of research notes created by Fr. Stanislaus Kavanagh OFM Cap. (1876-1965), Fr. Angelus Healy OFM Cap. (1875-1953), and Fr. Nessan Shaw OFM Cap. (1915-1997), Capuchin friars who undertook extensive research into Fr. Mathew’s life and ministry. Note that (in most instances) the date element refers to the original date of creation of the document or the time-period to which the research pertains.
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.
The series contains a collection of prints, drawings and photographs relating to Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC. Most of the prints were produced for commemorative and devotional purposes and to celebrate Fr. Mathew’s temperance campaign.
The series contains files of newspaper clippings of articles mainly connected with anniversaries and commemorations of Fr. Mathew and his temperance crusade.
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.
This series contains a highly significant collection of artefacts such as original pledge cards, temperance society medals, prints, posters, photographs, temperance memorabilia, manuals, church plate, ephemera and other items and relics associated with Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC and his temperance movement from the 1830s to the 1850s. Many of these items were collected by various Capuchin friars in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries with a view to exhibiting them for devotional and historical purposes.
The series includes mainly administrative files relating to the ministries undertaken by the Capuchin community in Kilkenny City. The series includes records of masses, internal community records and minute books, correspondence, schedules, and records of appointments and transfers to the Kilkenny house.
