Died 8 December 1856, Cobh, Cork
Buried Queenstown
I also have his biography by Katherin TynanStreet
From A Dictionary of Irish Biography, Henry Boylan (ed.), Gill & Macmillan, Dublin, 1998.
FATHER THEOBALD MATHEW
(1790 - 1856) apostle of temperance
Born 10th Oct 1790, Thomastown Castle, Cashel, County Tipperary
His father was agent to Lord Llandaff at Thomastown Castle. Entered Maynooth seminary in 1807 but left after a short stay to joined the Capuchins in Dublin, where he was ordained in 1814. He was sent to Cork, opened a free school for poor children, and formed a society of steady young men to help relieve the widespread wretchedness and poverty.
After 25 years' labour among the poor he was asked by non-conformist friends to lead their temperance society. On 10 April 1838 he signed a pledge of total abstinence with the historic words 'Here goes in the name of the Lord,' and began his campaign. His success was remarkable: within six years his disciples included nearly half the adult population, the revenue from duties on spirits fell from £1.4 million to £0.8 million, and there was an extraordinary reduction in crime. He extended his crusade to centres of Irish population in England, with equal success.
His later years were clouded by ill-health and financial difficulties; a public subscription relieved the debts he had incurred in founding temperance clubs and libraries throughout the country. He received a civil list pension of £300 a year in 1847. On his return to Ireland in 1851 from an extended visit to America he was told that Rome had proposed making him a bishop but the state of his health precluded his acceptance.
Retired to live with his brother Charles near Cork. Died in Cobh, 8 December 1856.
Source: A Dictionary of Irish Biography, Henry Boylan (ed.), Gill & Macmillan, Dublin, 1998.
From Thackery:
The day after the famous dinner at Mac Dowall's, some of us came down rather late, perhaps in consequence of the events of the night before - (I think it was Lord Bernard's quotation from Virgil, or else the absence of the currant-jelly for the venison, that occasioned a slight headache among some of us, and an extreme longing for soda-water,) - and there was the Apostle of Temperance seated at the table drinking tea. Some of us felt a little ashamed of ourselves, and did not like to ask somehow for the soda-water in such an awful presence as that. Besides, it would have been a confession to a Catholic priest, and, as a Protestant, I am above it.
The world likes to know how a great man appears even to a valet-de-chambre, and I suppose it is one's vanity that is flattered in such rare company to find the great man quite as unassuming as the very smallest personage present; and so like to other mortals, that we would not know him to be a great man at all, did we not know his name, and what he had done. There is nothing remarkable in Mr. Mathew's manner, except that it is exceedingly simple, hearty, and manly, and that he does not wear the downcast, demure look which, I know not why; certainly characterises the chief part of the gentlemen of his profession. Whence comes that general scowl which darkens the faces of the Irish priesthood? I have met a score of these reverend gentlemen in the country, and not one of them seemed to look or speak frankly, except Mr. Mathew, and a couple more. He is almost the only man, too, that I have met in Ireland, who, in speaking of public matters, did not talk as a partisan. With the state of the country, of landlord, tenant, and peasantry, he seemed to be most curiously and intimately acquainted; speaking of their wants, differences, and the means of bettering them, with the minutest practical knowledge. And it was impossible in hearing him to know, but from previous acquaintance with his character, whether he was Whig or Tory, Catholic or Protestant. Why does not Government make a Privy Councillor of him? - that is, if he would honour the Right Honorable body by taking a seat amongst them. His knowledge of the people is prodigious, and their confidence in him as great; and what a touching attachment that is which these poor fellows show to any one who has their cause at heart - even to any one who says he has!
Avoiding all political questions, no man seems more eager than he for the practical improvement of this country. Leases and rents, farming improvements, reading societies, music societies-he was full of these, and of his schemes of temperance above all. He never misses a chance of making a convert, and has his hand ready and a pledge in his pocket for sick or poor. One of his disciples in a liverv-coat came into the room with a tray - Mr. Mathew recognized him, and shook him by the hand directly; so he did with the strangers who were presented to him; and not with a courtly popularity-hunting air, but, as it seemed, from sheer hearty kindness, and a desire to do every one good.
Fr Mathew Statue in Dublin
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