This series includes a collection of rare books which were formerly held in the Library of Holy Trinity Friary, Father Mathew Quay, Cork. They were transferred to the Irish Capuchin Archives in Dublin in 2012. The collection is divided into six sub-series. In all of the sub-series the volumes have been arranged chronologically by date of publication. The series includes works published in Latin, French and English. Most of the volumes are in an extremely poor condition due to exposure for many years to inappropriate environmental storage conditions in the attic and in other locations in Holy Trinity Friary.
This series comprises historical catalogues and schedules of records held in the archives of Holy Trinity Friary in Cork. Some of the material noted in these catalogues is now extant in the Irish Capuchin Archives. However, other archival material referenced in these descriptive lists has now evidently been lost.
This series contains unpublished material compiled mainly by Capuchin friars (particularly by Fr. Angelus Healy OFM Cap.) relating to the history of the Capuchins in Cork or to noteworthy Cork-born members of the Order.
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.
This section includes files relating to the Capuchin community resident in Ard Mhuire Friary. The series includes records relating to various aspects of their religious life, to their ministries and their interactions with the clergy of the diocese of Raphoe and with various lay fraternities and associations.
The series includes records relating to the use of Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary as a retreat centre in the diocese of Raphoe. The section includes material pertaining to retreats given to both the diocesan clergy and other religious as well as lay people, parish communities and school groups.
The section includes photographic images of both the old Ard Mhuire Friary (formerly Ards House, the seat of the Stewart-Bam family) and the present-day Friary and House of Studies (now a retreat and conference centre) built on the same site in the 1960s. There are also images of Capuchin friars who resided at Ard Mhuire and prints of the surrounding towns, scenic landscapes and sites of historical and religious significance.
The series contains documents relating to the sale of Ards House and its 2,000-acre estate by the Stewart-Bam family. The estate was acquired by the Irish Land Commission in 1926. The Capuchin Franciscans purchased Ards House and a portion of its demesne in 1930 and converted it for use as a friary and theological seminary.
The series contains records compiled mainly by Capuchin friars relating to the history of the locality around Ard Mhuire Friary including material on the previous owners of Ards House in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Much of this historical research was amassed by Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap. (1912-1995) who spent nearly sixty years of his ministry as a Capuchin friar in County Donegal.
