An article on the history of the Wray family in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The Wrays were the owners of the Ards Estate before it was purchased by the Stewarts in 1781. It is noted that in about 1700 William Wray ‘bought 5,000 acres of land between Dunfanaghy and Doe from William Sampson’. The article adds: 'In 1781 the estate was sold to Mr Alexander Stewart, brother of the first Marquess of Londonderry and uncle of the infamous Lord Castlereagh, for the sum of £13,250 in order to meet the owner’s debts'. An appendix to the article includes some brief notes on the Stewarts of Ards compiled by Fr. T.J. Walsh, a diocesan priest in Cork.
Photographic print of the ordination of Capuchin friars at Ard Mhuire. The group includes Fr. John Joseph Manley OFM Cap., Fr. Senan Dooley OFM Cap., Fr. James Connolly OFM Cap. and Bishop Anthony McFeely.
Photographic print of a group of Capuchin friars at Ard Mhuire Friary, County Donegal. The group includes Fr. Nessan Shaw OFM Cap., Fr. Bruno McKnight OFM Cap., Fr. Pádraig Ó Cuill OFM Cap., Fr. Albert Hayes OFM Cap., and Fr. Colga O’Riordan OFM Cap.
Clipping from of an article titled ‘New Capuchin Home’ from 'The Father Mathew Record' (May 1930) referring to the opening of Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary in County Donegal. The article reads: 'On the shores of Sheephaven Bay, there stands Ards House, the former home of the Stewart family. This house and adjoining estate have been in the hands of the Irish Land Commission, and the Capuchin Fathers purchased the residence and part of the surrounding land. … The house is large and commodious, and is in splendid condition, having been occupied until quite recently'. The file also includes a article titled 'The Brown Habit in Tirconaill again' published in the 'Franciscan Annals' (May 1930) and a copy of a poem by Máire Ní Shioradáin titled 'Failte', composed for the friars on assuming ownership of Ards House.
Complete copies of the 'Derry Journal' (15 Nov. 1966, 18 Nov. 1966 and 19 Nov. 1966), 'Donegal Press' (18 Nov. 1966), and 'Donegal Democrat' (18 Nov. 1966) which include extensive reportage on the opening of the new Ard Mhuire Friary and Capuchin House of Studies. Includes photographic prints of Bishop Anthony McFeely (1909-1986) blessing the new church and friary and various friars and attendees at the celebration. The file also includes some loose clippings of articles (from the 'Irish Press' and 'Irish Independent') covering the opening.
Copy clipping of an article re the history of Creeslough and its environs. The article also refers to a meeting held in Ard Mhuire Friary at which a local history committee was established.
Clipping of articles from 'The Tirconaill Tribune' titled ‘From Ballyvourney to Creeslough / Fr. David of Ards’ and ‘The Death of Fr. David, Ards Friary’ referring to the life of Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap. The articles refer to Fr. David’s experiences as student in Rome during the Second World War, to his life as a friar in the old Ard Mhuire Friary, and to the history of Ards House and its occupants.
