This section includes legal records relating to the management of properties at Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary. The series also includes papers relating to the construction, renovation and repair history of Ards Friary and the Capuchin House of Studies. A sub-series includes correspondence, architectural plans, and financial records relating to the construction of a new friary and theological seminary on the existing Ard Mhuire site in the 1960s.
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.
Bills for construction work on Ard Mhuire Friary and the Capuchin House of Studies in County Donegal. The costs include fees payable to J.R. Boyd Barrett, architect, J. McLoughlin & Co., builders, James Sheehan, surveyor, and to various other firms and individuals for furnishing and decorating the buildings.
Letter from Earley & Co., stained glass manufactures, 4 Upper Camden Street, Dublin, to Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap. re measurements for the ‘eleven lower panels of windows’ in the oratory of Ard Mhurie Capuchin Friary.
Report of the canonical visitation of Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary by Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap. It is noted that the community consists of eighteen students of theology, four priests, and three lay brothers. It is also noted that Fr. Aloysius examined the ‘Mass books and account books of the House’.
