Temperance movements of various types have been a feature of Irish life for the last two centuries. Templeport’s first recorded connection with one of these movements took place in 1842. In that year the great temperance crusader Fr. Theobald Matthew addressed a huge rally estimated at 27,000 people from Cavan, Leitrim and Fermanagh, at Springhill near Bawnboy. In the turbulent decades that followed it is hard to ascertain what lasting effect Fr. Matthew’s efforts had on the locality.
Almost a century later, another Temperance drive was launched. On the 23rd April 1933 the inaugural meeting of the Templeport Centre of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association was held. It was not as spectacular as Fr. Matthew’s rally, (there were twelve people present) but nonetheless their effort blossomed and an organisation was formed which had a dynamic effect on the spiritual and social life of the parish. Although slightly hampered by the loss of the original minute book which contained three decades of the centre's records, we can still chart the Pioneers' progress from the roll books and the remaining minute book, as well as the personal recollections of members.
At that first meeting the twelve people present were enrolled on the recommendation of the Parish Priest, Rev. Henry McCabe. Their membership was confirmed in a note signed by Timothy J. Halpin, the Central Spiritual Director at that time. The first President of the Centre was Jack Tiernan N.T., Corville, while Patrick Flynn, Burren was Secretary. Initially the venue for the monthly meetings alternated between Kilnavart and Kildoagh churches. These were usually held after Mass.
Over the years, pioneers have made a considerable contribution to the local scene. The history of the organisation nationally and locally can be used as a gauge to measure social and religious changes in Ireland. Templeport is no different. Founded at a time when Catholicism was probably at its strongest in the wake of the Eucharistic Congress the centre blossomed, but due to increasing affluence and worldliness the Pioneers find it difficult to attract or keep young people within its ranks. There has always been a considerable number of people who have joined up and left after a while, but the modern trend shows youngsters joining at juvenile or probationer levels but very few now remain on to become full pioneers. It is a disheartening situation. However, the P.T.A.A. is not a coercive movement. While its members, themselves, totally abstain, they are not anti-drink or anti-pub as such. They promote moderation which is both sensible and reasonable. If people who leave have had their understanding of the virtue of moderation enhanced during their stay with the Pioneers, then the organisation would have, if only partially, fulfilled one of its primary aims. The P.T.A.A.’s emphasis is spiritual. However, it has always seen the correlation between excessive social drinking and the need for alternative pursuits to the pub. There has always been a social side to the movement in Templeport as elsewhere. In the first few decades the centre ran socials, dances etc. The annual highlight was a trip to Bundoran. These activities were sufficient for their time. The increase in affluence and the more sophisticated needs of modern youngsters, led the movement to initiate a more imaginative and active programme of events. From the early seventies on, the Pioneers began a national programme of competitive events. The first phase of this was mainly confined to quiz leagues but by the mid-eighties the competitive element was upgraded to a very comprehensive multi-talent national contest known as Réadóirí.
Templeport Centre was involved in all this from the beginning. Parish teams senior, probationer and junior have always performed well at quiz competitions and on several occasions have reached the Ulster finals. The Réadóirí teams have put in tremendous efforts over the last few years and have brought home many honours in the fields of singing and dancing. The greatest honour was gained in 1999 when the junior section won the All-Ireland Novelty Act competition.
|