Events commemerating Father Mathew's anniversary will appear here.

Father Mathew Conference, Letterkenny, Tuesday 30th January 2007

Fr Mathew Conference

A Capuchin Friar

“A Balanced Lifestyle for Contemporary Ireland”
 
Guest Speaker: Dr Justin Brophy, Consultant Psychiatrist
 
Tuesday 30th January 2007, 7.30 p.m.

Mount Erigal Hotel, Letterkenny
 
For more information contact Dan Joe on 01 800915 /

In association with Donegal Mental Health & The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association

Father Mathew Opens in Half Moon Theatre on 15 January 2007

Cork Opera House and Yew Tree Theatre Company announce that the world premiere of Sean McCarthy's new play, Father Mathew, will open in the Half Moon Theatre on Monday 15 January.  The press opening is Wednesday 17 January.  John Breen will direct.

Father Theobald Mathew's crusade led to the virtual elimination of alcohol abuse in mid-19th century Ireland.  Despite his success in convincing 3 million Irish to pledge abstinence, the Capuchin friar "wrestled with his own spooks, sent from above, below or within."   In this, his fifteenth play, Sean McCarthy explores Father Mathew's struggles with sensitivity and honesty.

Father Mathew reveals little known chapters in the friar's life, during which he was embroiled in financial, political and ethical woes.  It also honours his amazing achievements as a social reformer, revolutionary thinker and charismatic leader.

According to Director John Breen, in telling Father Mathew's story with three characters, the play liberates itself from being a mere recounting of key events in his life.   Instead, it is an expressionistic exploration of his psychology and the historical forces that shaped and opposed him.

"I want the audience to get some idea of what it was like to walk in his shoes, and to be inspired by his life, by the breath of his ambition, and even by his shortcomings," says Mr. Breen, who wrote and directed Alone It Stands and Charlie.

Playwright Sean McCarthy and Cork Opera House Executive Director Gerry Barnes first explored the idea of creating a drama based on Father Mathew's life in 1987.  Only now, 20 years later, has it come to fruition.


"In retrospect, I'm glad we didn't go forward at that time as it would have been an incomplete picture," says Mr. McCarthy.  "Only many years later, when I spent time in Boston and Washington D.C., did I uncover the material that finished the story."

Father Mathew features Malcolm Adams in the title role; Liam Heffernan as John, his faithful and plain-spoken assistant; and adding an element of magic realism, Carl Kennedy as the Demon. Set design is by Marcus Costello; lighting design by Lizzie Powell; and costume design by Sinead Cuthbert.
Father Mathew

Half Moon Theatre, Cork Opera House

Date:         Opens Mon 15 January

                 Press opening Wed 17 January

Time:          8:30pm

Booking:    Phone 021-4270022 / Online: www.corkoperahouse.ie

Tickets:      €20 plus €2.50 booking fee

Croke Park Conference to celebrate the 180th anniversary of Father Mathew.

On September 30th 2006, from 9am to 4pm, the Croke Park Conference Centre will host a celebratory conference to mark the 180th anniversary of Father Mathew. Click here to see the agenda for the day.

Feis Maitiu
One of the ways the capuchin Order perpetuates the memory of Fr. Mathew is through Feis Maitiu Corcaigh. Founded in 1927 by an t-Athar Micheal ofm.cap. Feis Maitiu promotes the educational value of the performing arts.

Under the patronage of the Capuchin Order the 9 week event is held annually in the Father Maitiu Hall , Cork.

This years Feis begins on February 10^th 2006.

Conference on Father Mathew
The draft plan for a conference/exhibition on Father Mathew is currently being drawn up. Check back soon for details.

Essay Competition
The Rules
- Open to all senior students.
- Essays may be submitted in Irish or English.
- Closing date for scripts to arrive at the address below is 24th April 2006-02-15.
- A panel of adjudicators has been selected whose decision is final.
- Students participating must submit essays through the Principal of their school.
- All essays must be word-processed with 700 – 1000 words.

The Essay Topics are listed below:
English Essays:
- Poverty of Spirit, a western plague?
- Temperance starts in the family.
- A self-confident person leads an addiction free life.
- Temperance and a healthy society go hand in hand.
- Opting for temperance, the greatest challenge facing today’s young adults.
- If you were Fr. Mathew today what would you do?

Irish Essays
- An bhfuil pobal na tíre seo tughta son ól?
- An fiú measaracht san ólachan agus í ngach rud a glacann muid?
- An é an ólachan galar bliaintiúl na tíre seo?
- An bhfuil comhlint ag deagoirí na tíre seo tomhas phearsanta a dhéanamh idir barraíocht agus measaracht san ólachan?
- An chun olcas atá fadhbhanna na ndrugaí agus an ólachan ag dul san tír seo?
- An fadhb naisiúnta é an ólachan don t-aois óg?

Prize range as follows:
- 1st Prize €500 each Both Irish and English essays
- 2nd Prize €300 each Both Irish and English essays
- 3rd Prize €200 each Both Irish and English essays

The prize winning schools will be awarded a trophy or plaque.

Results will be advised in writing to the schools and will also be published in the local media.

"Here goes in the name of God" - Father Mathew

Tipperary Seminar: The legacy of Father Theobald Mathew

Date: June 9th - June 11th 2006
Location: Tipperary Excel Centre, Tel: (062)80520

Friday June 9th

7.30 - 10 p.m
7.30 p.m Reception in the Excel Centre followed by Lectures
Speakers to include
8.40 p.m Dr. Des Marnane "The Mathew Family"
8.40 9.30 p.m Prof. Paul Quinn U.S.A Fr. Mathew's American Legacy

Saturday June 10th

Speakers to include:

9.45 a.m Mr Colm Kerrigan "How can we account on Father Mathew's success"
10.30 a.m Tea & Coffee break
10.50 Mr. Frank Delaney
11.30 Ms. Noreen Higgins Life in Ireland in the 1830s
1245: Lunch
Afternoon visit to Thomastown & places associated with Father Mathew

Saturday June 11th

12 noon mass in Saint Patricks Church Kilfeacle

Concelebrated by his Grace Archbishop Clifford, Fr Pat O Gorman, and Fr Christopher Dillon Abbot Glenstal, Great, Great Grand Nephew of Fr Mathew

proceed by

Wreath laying ceremony at Fr Mathew statue

Lunch and farewell