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Letters from the Most Rev. William MacNeely, Bishop of Raphoe (1888-1963), to Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap. re arrangements for the purchase of Ards House by the Capuchins. A letter of 1 Mar. 1930 expresses his pleasure on hearing that ‘negotiations with the Land Commission have been successful. About the time of taking over the property, really it does not matter; just make arrangements as you consider convenient’. A letter on 18 Mar. 1930 affirms that the friars ‘may fix up an Oratory at once … as soon as things are in order’.

Photographic prints of a hand-drawn portrait of the Irish nationalist politician, Hugh A. Law (1872-1943) and his residence at Marble Hill House, Dunfanaghy, County Donegal. The portrait is dated 12 Sept. 1928.

Photographic prints of Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap. (1912-1995) and Fr. Ephrem O’Sullivan OFM Cap. (1904-1958) blessing a Holy Year Cross atop Muckish Mountain (Derryveagh Mountain Range, County Donegal) on the Feast of the Assumption (15 August) in 1951. The file includes a note written by Fr. David giving information on some of the people in one of the photographic prints. See also CA DL/6/10.

File of photographs of Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap. (1912-1995) at Ard Mhuire Friary, County Donegal. Some of the prints show friends and relations visiting the friary and adjoining grounds. Most of the prints are annotated with details and dates on the reverse.

Photographic prints of the first community in Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary. The copy print is annotated as follows: (left to right): Fr. Cassian O’Shea OFM Cap., Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap. (guardian), Fr. Felix Guihen OFM Cap. Standing: Fr. Andrew Carew OFM Cap. and Fr. Columban McGarry OFM Cap. The larger print is annotated as follows: seated: Br. Leopold (novice); Fr. Andrew; Fr. Colman (Guardian), Fr. Eunan, Br. Carthage. Standing: Br. Theodore (novice), Br. Robert (novice), Br. Norbert (novice), Fr. Eugene (Novice Master), Br. Evangelist (novice), Br. Colman (laybrother), Br. Roger (novice), Br. Alexius (laybrother), Br. John (tertiary).

Photographic prints of exterior views of Ard Mhuire Friary and the Retreat Centre, Sheephaven Bay, County Donegal. Some of the images show the surrounding gardens and grounds (including a few images of snow-covered buildings). Some of the images are in the form of printed prayer cards.

An article on the history of Doe Castle on the shores of Sheephaven Bay near Creeslough, County Donegal. The article was compiled by Sheila MacMahon. A note from the author to Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap. is extant on the reverse of the last page. The file includes a colour postcard print of a painting of Doe Castle and a short note re the restoration by a local branch of the Legion of Mary of broken or neglected Penal-era Mass Rocks in the area around Doe.

An inventory for furniture and interior fittings belonging to ‘Ards Castle’ (presumably Ard Mhuire Friary), Creeslough, County Donegal, to be sold at a demolition sale on 12 Oct. 1966. The auctioneers are noted as Quinn Bros. & McGowan, Longford. The building contractors are P.J. McLoughlin & Co., Longford.

Photographic prints of the demolition of the old Ard Mhuire Friary in County Donegal. Some of the images also show the shell of the former Ards House and construction work on the new friary building and oratory. Several of the prints show the two buildings during the transition phase of construction of the new House of Studies and Ards Friary. A small number of the prints have annotations on the reverse:
• ‘Ceiling of choir, in old house, Ards, a few days before it was demolished’.
• ‘Demolition of old Ards House in progress’.
• ‘Ards, Autumn 1964’.

Copy circular letter from Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, announcing the purchase of Ards House by the Capuchin Order. The letter reads:

'It is more than 350 years since the Franciscans laboured “for the glory of God, and the honour of Erin” in the historic Abbey of Donegal. Now they are returning and let us hope that this new Friary of the Order will be a centre of spiritual force, the influence of which will be felt, not only in Tirconaill, but in the whole of the north of Ireland'.

He also expresses his gratitude to Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap. whose ‘untiring energy’ ensured the acquisition of the property. A note (added by Fr. Angelus Healy OFM Cap.) states that a meeting of the Provincial Definitory on 5 Mar. 1930 confirmed the plan to purchase of Ards House for a canonical foundation. It is also noted that Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap. was appointed guardian of the new foundation.