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'.
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'.
Photographic prints of a hand-drawn portrait of the Irish nationalist politician, Hugh A. Law (1872-1943) and his residence at Marble Hill House, Dunfanaghy, County Donegal. The portrait is dated 12 Sept. 1928.
Personal recollections, family history and local folklore in Donegal collected by Peadar MacMahon and submitted to Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap. The memoir includes a short chapter titled ‘Anahire or Aultcrum / Ards House / Creeslough’.
A flier seeking support for the construction of a new chapel (St. Michael’s) at Cashelmore, Doe, County Donegal. The leaflet notes that ‘St. Michael’s Church, Cashelmore, is probably the oldest church being used by the Catholics of the diocese of Raphoe. Two inscriptions set in the eastern wall inform us that the church was built by Father Bernard Rodan in 1784 and re-built by Father Peter Gallagher in 1830’.
A guide to Ards Forest Park and Sheephaven Bay published by Irish Forest and Wildlife Service. The book has been annotated by Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap. The guide reads: 'The Stewart family held Ards until 1926, the property being known as the Stewart-Bam estate in its later years from the marriage in 1910 of the heiress, Miss Eva Stewart to Sir Pieter Bam, a native of South Africa. The great estate was finally broken up following its acquisition by the Irish Land Commission in 1926 and the area that was to become our Forest Park came into our possession in 1929'.
Booklet for a Mass Celebration on Medal Hill (formerly Doe Chapel) near Creeslough in County Donegal to mark Fr. Theobald Mathew’s temperance gathering at the same location on 15 June 1841. The commemorative mass, which was celebrated by friars from Ard Mhuire, was held on 21 August 1988. The file also includes a photostat copy of a letter from Andrew MacIntyre (25 Feb. 1955) to Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap. referring to Father Mathew’s temperance meeting at Cashelmore, County Donegal, in June 1841. For more on this local commemoration see CA FM/RES/4/1/3.
A guidebook to the Creeslough-Dunfanaghy locality published by the Doe Historical Committee. The booklet contains an illustrated chapter titled ‘The Peninsula of Ards’ which explores the history of the Ards estate and Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary and Retreat House. With inserts, photographs and a ‘a progress report on the work of the Doe Historical Committee’ written by Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap.
