A memorandum outlining ‘some reasons for retaining our foundation in the Diocese of Raphoe’. The document provides bullet points on the rationale for retaining Ard Mhuire Friary. The document notes: 'To give up Ard Mhuire would not be good for the Province. It would mean bad distribution of Friars in the country, virtually confining them to three cities, Cork, Dublin and Kilkenny. Ard Mhuire can now be said to be our only country house. … Ard Mhuire is [also] one of the few foundations of clerical religious in Northern Ireland'. Reference is also made to the attitudes of the local parish clergy and lay community who are very favourably disposed to the friars remaining in the locality.
Clipping of an article titled ‘New Methods at Friary / Piers and retreats: a day’s work at Ards’ from the 'Donegal News' (17 Feb. 2017). The article refers to the closure (due to safety concerns) of the old pier alongside Ard Mhuire Friary.
Note by Fr. Stanislaus Kavanagh OFM Cap. re the existence of an apartment in the Ards House called ‘the Friar’s Room’. It reads: 'The morning after the building and property were taken over from the Land Commission Holy Mass was celebrated in the portion of the building assigned an oratory. In the course of the day one of the fathers remarked to the steward “I expect this is the first time Mass was said here”. The steward was doubtful and mentioned a tradition prevalent … [that] one of the apartments is called “The Friar’s Room”. The explanation given is that about 100 or 150 years ago a friar was accustomed to visit the family and inhabited that room. The steward presumed that when he came, he said Mass in the building'.
Official dedication of the foundation at Ard Mhuire to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The document is signed by Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap., Provincial Minister. With manuscript and typescript copies.
Clipping of an article (with photographic print) of the ordinations of Capuchin friars at Ard Mhuire Friary. The print shows Fr. Mark Coyle OFM Cap., Fr. Donatus McNamara OFM Cap., Fr. Eustace McSweeney OFM Cap., Fr. Flannan Buckley OFM Cap., Fr. De Sales Cullen OFM Cap., Fr. Benedict Cullen OFM Cap., Fr. Myles Jackman OFM Cap., Fr. Ronald Grace OFM Cap. with Bishop William Mac Neely. See also CA DL/5/33.
