A funding proposal from the Damietta Initiative, Capuchin Franciscan Peace Centre, Pretoria, South Africa, for a project promoting non-violence ‘based on the Franciscan charism of “fraternity and minority”’.
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.
Transcript of Fr. Ronan Herlihy’s oral account of his missionary work in Northern Rhodesia (later Zambia). The file was compiled as part of Dr. Charles Flynn’s resources for the study of mission history at Maynooth University. This project was funded by the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences. The Irish Capuchin Archives holds a digital copy of this file.
Mass register recording the number of Sunday masses said by various community members at St. Mary of the Angels. Totals are also provided in respect of the number of masses said for benefactors, Brothers, suffrages and jubilarians. The next volume in this sequence is at CA CS/1/1/1/51.
Fr. Godfrey Sinvula OFM Cap. and Fr. John Grace OFM Cap. with Bishop Paul Duffy OMI (1932-2011) following a Mass at Limulunga celebrating Fr. Godfrey’s silver jubilee and Fr. John’s golden jubilee.
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.
