In November 1840, according to the late Fr. Dan Gallogly in “The Diocese of Kilmore 1800 -1950 page 91”, the popular Temperance preacher Fr. Theobalt Mathew [1790 - 1856] visited Butlersbridge where as many as 60,000 people took the pledge. Fr. Mathew who founded the Total Abstinence Society in 1838 began his temperance crusade in the same year. He was greatly encouraged by the Quaker William Martin, a Cork based baker, who has been called “the Grandfather of Teetotal Cause”.

This event took place over a two-day period in the “Horse Field” in Derrygarra (25th - 26th November 1840).  The field is approximately 100 yards to the left just as you enter the old Ballyhaise road which is outside the village on the Cavan road. Andrew Boylan, who owns the field, states that there is a rock near its centre from which Fr. Mathew is supposed to have spoken. A letter from Bishop Browne expressing regret for his inability to attend was read out.

The text of the Irish Total Abstinence Society pledge was:

“I promise with the Divine Assistance to abstain from all intoxicating liquors and to prevent as much as possible by address and example, intemperance in others”.

Philip O’Connell, a poet and essayist from Crosserlough, was the author of a Temperance brochure entitled “The Medal and Glass, Kells, 1841”, now in the Royal Irish Academy and printed by a T K Henderson (cf. “Breifne 1960” pp 209-212). He penned the poem quoted below on the occasion.

Father Mathew in Butler’s Bridge

Rejoiced that I could now behold
The Man, whose name in Erin
Sounds like a blessing long foretold –
To Butler’s Bridge repairing.

I stood before that wondrous man,
With such deep feelings riven
As the Patriarchs felt, while they gazed upon
The messengers of Heaven

No temple raised by human skill,
In its narrow precincts bound him,
But the clear blue sky and the wide green hills,
With thousands kneeling round him.

Behind him, smiling, came Hope and Health,
Contentment, Peace, and Pleasure;
Bluff Labour counting o’er his wealth,
To be enjoy’d at leisure.

And, as with a voice of power he passed,
Prostrate before him howling,
Fell Hate and Treachery aghast,
And Murder grimly scowling.

Dissension, Riot, Want and Woe,
Obscenity and Error;
Like leaves, when Autumn’s breezes blow,
Were flying away in terror.

While Erin’s Genius hovering nigh,
The glorious “Sunburst” waving,
Behold, with joy, these demons fly,
So long her sons enslaving.

And many a cottage home that night,
Which Hope had long deserted,
Hailed her return with pure delight,
When the demon of drunkenness departed.

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