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.
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.
An anonymous letter to Fr. Pacificus Jennings OFM Cap., guardian, complaining about the presence of the Derry Peace Women group at Ard Mhuire Friary. The letter reads: ‘It would fit them better to remain at home and do some house-work … and make peace with some of their relations and neighbours’.
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.
List of community members at Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary, County Donegal. Fr. Fidelis O’Connell OFM Cap. (1927-2007) is noted as guardian of the fraternity.
Photographic print of a Franciscan retreat at Ard Mhuire Friary, Creeslough, County Donegal. The group includes Fr. Benjamin O’Connell OFM Cap., Fr. Adrian Curran OFM Cap. and Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap.
Photographic print of a group of Capuchin friars on the staircase in Ard Mhuire Friary (formerly Ards House). The group includes Br. Godfrey Mannion OFM Cap., Br. Dermot Barry OFM Cap., Br. Nicholas O’Brien OFM Cap., Br. David Kelleher OFM Cap., and Br. John Chrysostom O’Mahony OFM Cap.
