Father Mathew and 19th Century Irish Temperance Movement

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

The caricature of the Irish involves a lot of alcohol and drunkenness. It often comes as a surprise when people discover just how widespread and culturally ingrained temperance and teetotalism is in the country. Father Theobald Mathew's temperance crusade was the single most extraordinary social movement in pre-famine Ireland, enlisting millions of Irish men and women to give up drink for life. This coincided with, and arguably enabled, a national identity which coincided with Daniel O'Connell, and the mass-meetings he organised. Professor Paul Townend of University of North Carolina, Wilmington wrote the book "Father Mathew, Temperance, and Irish Identity" and is an expert on Father Mathew and the temperance movement. He joined me for a fascinating chat.