Letter from Louis J. Walsh (1880-1942) to Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., guardian, Ard Mhuire Friary, welcoming the arrival of the Capuchins in County Donegal. He writes: 'I hope … above all that the Holy Mass is being offered up every morning in the halls where alien lords revelled and plotted against our religion and our race. … Your monastery will add wonderful richness to the spiritual life of Tír Chonaill and of Ulster and bring down countless blessings on us all'. He also suggests that Ard Mhuire Friary would serve as an excellent location ‘in which lay men could make retreats’.
Photostat copies from an unidentified publication referring to the history of Dunfanaghy and its hinterland with reference to the Stewart family of Ards.
A copy of 'Uproar in Dungloe' by Naoi nGiallach. The text refers to the famous personages from Dungloe including the 1916 Rising and War of Independence veteran, Joseph Sweeney (1897-1980).
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 metal artefact (possibly a nameplate). The engraving on the plate reads: ‘IARGONNELL’. A covering note reads: ‘Artefact from walled gardens found by Br. Rufino Ferris OFM Cap. (South Africa) in the summer of 2006. Placed in this envelope by Br. Michael Duffy OFM Cap., 11th Jan. 2007’. The artefact probably dates to the occupation of Ards House by the Stewarts.
Report on the prospects of the South African mission by Fr. Edward Walsh OFM Cap. and Fr. Canice Bourke OFM Cap., St. Mary’s, Cape Town for Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap., Provincial Minister. The report refers to a meeting with Bishop Bernard Cornelius O’Riley, Vicar Apostolic of the Cape of Good Hope, to discuss the areas (Athlone and Parow) which have been offered to the Irish Capuchins. A description of both districts and their populations is given. The financing of the proposed mission is also referred to. The report notes that ‘there is a well-disposed Catholic in Athlone, a Mr. Murphy, who came to the Cape during the Boer War, and settled here’. The report also affirms that ‘the people seem to want us badly in Athlone – there certainly is a hunger for a priest there’.
Report by the Regular Superior on the verbal process at the canonical visitation of the parish of St. Mary of the Angels, Athlone, South Africa. Reference is made to the necessity of keeping the Order and mission accounts separate and to the sum of £825 refunded to the Bishop of Cape Town ‘in full settlement of money expended by the Vicariate in the Welcome Estate’.
Draft report by Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, on the canonical visitation of the Irish Capuchin missions in the Cape Province, South Africa, and in the Livingstone Vicariate, Northern Rhodesia. The report is divided into the following sections: Mission in the Cape Province (South Africa) A. St. Mary of the Angels, Athlone
Parish of Athlone
Station at Welcome Estate
Location at Langa B. Friary of the Immaculate Conception, Parow
Parish at Parow
Station at Matroosfontein Livingstone Vicariate (Northern Rhodesia) A. Livingstone
Township: St. Theresa’s Pro-Cathedral
District of Maramba: Christ the King Mission B. Caprivi Strip
Katima Mulilo: Holy Family Mission Barotseland Protectorate (Northern Rhodesia)
Sichili: St. Fidelis Mission
Sioma: St. Anthony Mission
Malengwa: St. Francis of Assisi Mission
Lukulu: Sancta Maria Mission
Mangango: St. Joseph Mission
Sihole: St. Patrick Mission
Balovale Boma: Our Lady of Fatima
Chinyingi: Sacred Heart Mission Reference is made to the history of the various mission stations, the friars staffing the stations, and the apostolic activity undertaken by the Capuchins.
Report by Fr. Didacus McGrath OFM Cap. (1929-2018), Regular Superior, on the Irish Capuchin mission in Cape Town, South Africa. Fr. Didacus notes that ‘thirteen priests and two brothers are responsible for the twenty thousand Catholics in the Cape Town Archdiocese’. The report is divided into the following sections: • Apostolate • Vocations • Finance • Present debts of the Parish • Life of the friars • Needs
