Source: Galway Observer – Saturday 22 March 1902

The cause of Temperance in Athenry is making great progress during the past twelve months, and we require no further evidence of the fact than the great display which took place in the town on Monday last. The Athenry Temperance Society is in a flourishing condition at the present moment, and its future success has been guaranteed. Until recently we had no Temperance Association in Athenry, but our highly esteemed pastor The Very Rev Canon Canton, PP, VF, has done wonders recently in establishing the cause of Temperance throughout the parishes of Athenry and Newcastle; for in Newcastle as well as in Athenry a strong branch of the Temperance Society exists. both Masses in Athenry on Monday last a large choir selected from the Temperance Society sang the hymn “St Patrick’s Day” in splendid style, and which was very much appreciated by the large congregations present at both Masses. Many were very much surprised at the musical talent displayed by the young men of the town, and the performance at both Masses on Monday last reflects the greatest on them, as they had been only a short time in preparation.

After last Mass it was arranged to have a procession n of the Temperance Society through the principal streets of the town, and at 1.30, the formation of the procession took place, outside the Catholic Church. It was headed by the splendid band of the Athenry Temperance Society under the able conductorship of Mr Con Keane, bandmaster, who rendered a splendid selection of National music, which all who had the pleasure of hearing very much appreciated. Next came the members of the Athenry Temperance Society led by Messrs P Monohan, Michael Quinn, and J Walsh, who had charge of the large banner of the Society. The Athenry branch were a fine body of men, and had a very impressive appearance about them, and the large number of strangers who happened to be in town were not slow to pass eulogiums of praise as they filed by. The next portion of the procession was composed of the Juvenile Temperance Association composed of the school children of the parish, and which is directly under the control of the Very Rev Canon Canton. They presented a splendid appearance also, each of them being decorated with a medal and badge. No one who saw such a large number of the youth of this country in a temperance procession like that which passed through the streets of Athenry on Monday last could come to any other conclusion than that. We cannot pass over the fact here that the Very Rev Canon Canton has for years past kept alive in the parish a Temperance Association amongst the younger children who attends the schools, and a great deal of his time and labour has been devoted to this very laudable object of imprinting upon the minds of the children of the parish the great necessity of temperance.

The concluding portion of the procession consisted of the members of the Newcastle Temperance Society and which was also a very large contingent, which presented a splendid appearance as they marched through the town.

The procession was marshalled by the Committee members of the Society, and the arrangements were carried through without a hitch. There were a large number of banners carried in the procession by members of the Committee which added greatly to the picturesqueness of the gathering. The procession, after going through the principal streets proceeded to the Catholic Church where solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament took place and was attended by a vast Congregation. The entire day’s proceedings were a great success from start to finish and a great deal of its success is due to the Rev Father Madden, CC, who spared no pains in getting all the arrangements carried out. Both himself and the Very Rev Canon Canton, PP, accompanied the procession through the streets, and superintended all the minor details as it progressed through the town. There is no doubt but such a display in the cause of Temperance as that which took place on Sunday will add new strength to the cause, and already several have joined the Society, and it is to be hoped further additions will take place in the near future.

It is very gratifying to be able to say that there was no drunkenness of any kind in Athenry on St. Patrick’s Day, and from what we learn not a solitary individual fell into the clutches of the police, Everyone went to their homes peaceably, and there was no trace of disturbance of any kind.