Day Twenty-Five - 5/10/2012 - Cork

     Today I happened upon a rather curious part of Irish history.  Theobald Mathew, who was known as Father Matthew, lived from 1790 to 1856.  He is most well known for his support and proliferation of the temperance movement.  He started the Cork Total Abstinence Society in 1838, advocating temperance.  He believed that the pledge must be made for life and must be a complete commitment to abstain entirely from alcohol.  He made considerable progress, the movement reaching a high of 3 million right before the famine in 1845.  This led to a marked decrease in crimes and murders.  The prison population dwindled, and there was an overall increase in public safety.
     Father Matthew made a visit to America in 1849, and he was invited to dine at the White House by President Zachary Taylor.  The House of Representatives admitted him unanimously to a seat on the floor and the Senate admitted him within the bar.  He traveled the United States, stopping in many places, causing the temperance movement to grow and grow.  After his visit, temperance societies continued to spread his influence.  He died in 1856 in Cobh, being buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Cork city, a church he established himself.
     Built in 1864, a statue honouring him stands at the head of St. Patrick Street, in the center of Cork City, as he looks upon the Lee, standing guard over one of the busiest streets in Cork.