Extracts from by John J. Dunne, 'Haunted Ireland / her romantic and mysterious ghosts' (Belfast, 1977) re an apparition called ‘The Blue Lady of Ards’ which supposedly haunted the old Ard Mhuire Friary (the former Ards House). The text reads: 'She did not make her presence felt until after the mansion had been taken over by the Capuchins and became their house of theological studies for Irish novices. … It is reported that the apparition was seen on top of the oak staircase in the mansion. The stairs were horseshoe-shaped, forming a horseshow meeting at the landing above. A priest is said to have seen the ghost, a lovely lady in blue, at the top of the stairs, just as he was about to ascend them'.
Date: 1796 Author: Andrew Fuller Publisher: London: Printed for, and sold by T. Gardiner, No. 19, Princes-Street, Oxford-Street / Sold also by W. Button, No. 24, Pater-Noster-Row and J. Mathews, Strand. Full title: 'The Calvinistic and Socinian systems examined and compared as to their moral tendency in a series of letters. Addressed to the friends of vital and practical religion. The third edition. By Andrew Fuller'.
A short article by Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap. on the history of the Capuchin friars in County Donegal. The article refers to the importance of the missionary work performed by the friars who were ordained in Ard Mhuire. Reference is also made to the financing of the building of the new friary and church in the 1960s. The article reads: 'In the year 1930 the Irish Capuchin Franciscans took over the old Stewart mansion in County Donegal and fitted it out as a theological seminary. Between 1931 and 1972 over two hundred priests were ordained at Ard Mhuire. They are now working in almost every continent'.
Clipping of an article titled ‘Coming of the Capuchin Franciscans’ published in the 'Donegal Democrat'. The article refers to the history of the Ards Estate and to the arrival of the Capuchin friars in Donegal in 1930. With a copy print of Ard Mhuire Friary and a group of Capuchin friars including Fr. Cassian O’Shea OFM Cap. (1897-1981), Fr. Columban McGarry OFM Cap. (1901-1987), Fr. Andrew Carew OFM Cap. (1902-1987) and Fr. Finbarr O’Callaghan OFM Cap. (1879-1963).
Clipping of a poem by Lizzie MacDerby (dated 6 Aug. 1933) referring to the arrival of the Capuchin Franciscan friars in County Donegal. The poem was published in the 'Derry Journal'.
Articles on Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary published in 'The Father Mathew Record', an Irish Capuchin periodical magazine. The file includes: • The opening of the new Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary. 'The Father Mathew Record', Jan. 1967, pp 12-29. With numerous photographic prints of the official ceremony which was held on 13 Nov. 1966. • An article on the history of Ards House by Edward MacIntrye. 'The Father Mathew Record', Feb. 1967, pp 18-24. See also CA DL/6/15.
A complete copy of 'The Tatler and Bystander', 18 Feb. 1948, which includes an article (and photographic print) re the wedding in London of Pieter Stewart Bam (1914-2001) and Margaret Agnes Kitson. A manuscript annotation notes that ‘Pieter Stewart Bam is the son of the former owner of Ards House’.
Copies of a poem titled ‘The Old Metal Man’ referring to the acquisition of Ards House by the Capuchin friars. The poem reads: 'Gone, gone the Ascendancy, “gentry” and others That lorded it over the old native clan, Replaced by the people, the friars and brothers, Whilst still to the fore stands the Old Metal Man'. The file includes a clipping of the poem published in the 'Derry Journal' on 30 Nov. 1935.
An extract from an article by Capt. Francis McCullagh titled ‘The Return of the Franciscans to Tyrconnell’ published in 'The Capuchin Annual' (1931), pp 33-8. The article refers to the establishment by the Capuchin friars of the Ard Mhuire novitiate in the former Ards House in County Donegal.
The series contains documents relating to the sale of Ards House and its 2,000-acre estate by the Stewart-Bam family. The estate was acquired by the Irish Land Commission in 1926. The Capuchin Franciscans purchased Ards House and a portion of its demesne in 1930 and converted it for use as a friary and theological seminary.
