Copy circular letter from Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, announcing the purchase of Ards House by the Capuchin Order. The letter reads:
'It is more than 350 years since the Franciscans laboured “for the glory of God, and the honour of Erin” in the historic Abbey of Donegal. Now they are returning and let us hope that this new Friary of the Order will be a centre of spiritual force, the influence of which will be felt, not only in Tirconaill, but in the whole of the north of Ireland'.
He also expresses his gratitude to Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap. whose ‘untiring energy’ ensured the acquisition of the property. A note (added by Fr. Angelus Healy OFM Cap.) states that a meeting of the Provincial Definitory on 5 Mar. 1930 confirmed the plan to purchase of Ards House for a canonical foundation. It is also noted that Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap. was appointed guardian of the new foundation.
Correspondence Fr. Thomas Rocks OFM Cap., Guardian, Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary, with Fr. Brendan O’Mahony OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, and Fr. Nicholas O’Brien OFM Cap., Provincial Secretary, mostly regarding property and financial matters pertaining to the Ards foundation. The subjects include improvements to the Friary and Retreat House, the potential sale of a tract of land called ‘Manus Lough’, the financial demands of the Ards community, the leasing of a camping site to the CBSI, and the potential lease of the disused pier at Sheephaven Bay. The file includes a schedule denoting the subventions from the Provincial (Central) Fund to the Ard Mhuire building fund from 1950-77. A letter (18 Feb. 1977) from Fr. Nicholas reads: 'The first agreement for the use of the pier (then known as “the flagstaff”) was made by the then Guardian – Fr. Cassian O’Shea, [who was guardian from 1937-43] with “Irish Minerals Co.” of Arklow. … And it was during this time that the pier as we know it today was constructed including the extension back to the friary grounds and the protecting wall – later the shed and repair workshop was added'.
Correspondence (with invoices) of Fr. Berchmans McCarthy OFM Cap., guardian, Ard Mhuire Friary, with A.H. Masser Ltd., Kylemore Road, Dublin 10, re the installation of a washing machine.
Letters from P.J. McLoughlin & Co., builders and public works contractors, Ardnacassa, County Longford, re their work on the new Capuchin Friary and House of Studies at Ard Mhuire in County Donegal. Letter recipients include Fr. Conrad O’Donovan OFM Cap. and Fr. Nicholas O’Brien OFM Cap. Most of the letters are acknowledgments of payments received for contracted work on the building project.
File relating to the promotion of a series of Silver Circle draws in aid of the building fund for the new House of Studies and Ard Mhuire Friary, Cashelmore, County Donegal. The file includes letters (mainly from the local clergy) in support of the fund, promoters’ cards and ephemera, legal permits, and bank statements and receipts associated with the fund. The file also includes a list of parishes in Donegal in which the promotion of the fund was permitted.
Letters referring to a serious fire in Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary on 10 Dec. 1944. The file includes a letter from the Most Rev. William McNeely, Bishop of Raphoe, to Fr. Andrew Carew OFM Cap. He wrote: 'After the terrible tragedy at Roddens’ here [in Letterkenny], our minds are very much on that kind of thing. And now Ards is next on the casualty list, followed by the nuns [Sisters of Mercy] of a house-burning at Moville. Everyone is now looking for the local chimney sweep, fearing the effects of turf fires on flews constructed for coal fuel'. The file also includes letters conveying thanks to An Garda Síochána at Creeslough and to the Derry City Fire Brigade.
Minute book of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis attached to Holy Trinity Church, Cork. The title page refers to the role of Fr. Albert Mitchell OSFC (d. 27 Sept. 1893) as spiritual director. The volume contains a record of the monthly meetings of the female members of the sodality. Reference is also made to the receptions and professions of new members, the rules and spirituality of the sodality, and sermons and retreats given by the spiritual director and various Capuchin friars. See also CA/HT/4/8.
Proposed design for the completion of Holy Trinity Church, Cork by Edward Welby Pugin (1834-1875) and George Coppinger Ashlin (1837-1921). Print by J. Lewis, 29 Dame Street, Dublin. With a typescript note possibly by Fr. Angelus Healy OFM Cap. referring to the provenance of the proposed design. The note affirms that in June 1877 Ashlin had ‘been employed by Fr. Thomas, Superior of Cork, to examine the foundations of the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Cork, with a view to completing the front of the Church, and erecting a Tower. … The proposed design shows portions of the Friary at both sides of the Church’. This proposal did not materialize, and the completion of the Church façade, and the erection of the spire was not done until the celebration of the centenary of the birth of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC in 1890.
Photographic print of Fr. Stephen OSFC (from Rheims, France) and Br. Leo OSFC (a Dutch Capuchin friar), probably in Holy Trinity Friary in Cork. An annotation on the reverse reads: ‘Sitting, Fr. Stephen – Capuchin at Rheims. He made part of his studies in Rochestown and was ordained in Cork about 1881. The other is Br. Leo who came to Ireland as Br. Master in 1875 or 74’. It should be noted that Br. Leo of Venlo OSFC, from the Capuchin Province of Paris, died on 27 January 1927. (See GP/119). The smaller copy print is annotated on the reverse: ‘Br. Leo, a Hollander, Fr. Stephen, a Frenchman’. The file contains the original print and a copy print.
‘Irish View Scenery’ cards issued by Gallaher Cigarette Company Ltd. The cards are numbered: ‘No. 60: Father Mathew’s R.C. Church, Cork’; ‘No. 310: Father Mathew Statue, Cork’. The cards were issued by Gallaher Ltd. between 1908 and 1910. The complete set runs to 600 cards. Many of the photographs were taken by Robert John Welch from Belfast, and by William Lawrence, a Dublin-based photographer and studio owner. With a cover letter (dated 18 June 1982) to Fr. Nessan Shaw OFM Cap. from Walter McGrath explaining their provenance.
