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The life of two hundred and fifty years old Capuchin Friary at Ard Mhuire, Cashelmore, is drawing to a close. Within the next 18 months it will be replaced by a magnificent new three-storey building and a new Church with seating capacity of 250 to 300. The new structure, which is sited immediately beside the old building, is estimated to cost over £200,000 and is at present in the course of erection.
It was in 1930, at the invitation of the late Most Rev. Dr. MacNeely, Bishop of Raphoe, that the Capuchins returned to Donegal and selected this quiet sequestered spot as their House of Theology for the Irish Province.
There was great rejoicing throughout the Diocese at the time, and soon hundreds thronged from all over the country to visit this idyllic scene where the bearded and hooded monks moved through the tree-sheltered walks along the shores of Sheephaven. It was a remarkable and wonderful transformation for Ards House was formerly the seat of the then all-powerful planted landlords.
The original house was started by the Wrays in 1710 and purchased by the Stewards in 1780, who extend-
ed it. The last landlord to occupy the house was South African, Sir Pieter Bam, who had married into the Stewards and who left the house and lands in 1926.
Ard Mhuire was soon to have a strong attachment with the Irish branch of the Capuchin Order. Since the time when Very Rev. Dr. Colman, O.F.M., Cap., Raheny, brought the first students there, well over 100 students have been ordained at Ard Mhuire. In fact, about 65 per cent. of the Irish Capuchin priests have been ordained there. Students for the priesthood spend their last four years at Ards, after completing their philosophy course in Cork. It is the only house of the Capuchin Order in the Northern province.
Students increased
The old building, with its commanding and attractive appearance, is deceptively small. Down through the years as the number of students tended to increase, the building became insufficient to cater for the growing community. There are now over 40 in the community, including five priests, over 30 students and six lay brothers.
Present Guardian is Belfast-born, Very Rev. Father Bosco, M.A., L.C.L., O.F.M., Cap., who is the Professor of Moral Theology. Fr. Bosco has had a number of illustrious predecessors, the best known of whom is Very Rev. Fr. Andrew, O.F.M., Cap., Rochestown County Cork. Other Guardians who were in charge of Ards included Very Rev. Fr. Cassian, O.F.M., Cap., now in the U.S.A.; Very Rev. Fr. Virgilius, O.F.M., Cap., Church Street, and Very Rev. Fr. David, O.F.M., Cap., Ard Mhuire.
The present teaching staff, in addition to Fr. Bosco, includes Rev. Fr. David, M.A., D.D., L.S.S., Professor of Moral Theology; Rev. Fr. Nicholas, M.A., J.U.D., Professor of Canon Law; Rev. Fr. Chrysostum, M.A., D.D., L.S.S., Professor of Sacred Scripture and Rev. Fr. Godfrey, M.A., S.T.L., Professor of Fundamental Dogmatic Theology.
The present house was never altogether suitable for its sacred work. Attempts were made to reconstruct it, but on the advice of architect Chevalier J. R. Boyd Barrett, Cork, it was decided to proceed with a new building. The main contractor is Messrs. P. J. McLaughlin and Co., Longford.
The site of the new building is immediately beside the front door of the old house. The main block will be three storey high, and has over 100 apartments, including 40 students' rooms, three commodious class rooms, library, community centre, parlours, dining room, kitchens, etc. There will be oil fired central heating.
A choir to accommodate the whole community faces on to the sanctuary of the new Church. There will also be accommodation for meetings of the Third Order convenient to the Church, which has a spacious elevated sanctuary, specially designed to cater for ordinations.
When the new building is completed, the present House will be razed to ground level. It is hoped to have the work completed before the onset of the winter in 1965.
An appeal has been launched for funds by the Friars and is expected that the people of Donegal will rise to the occasion and respond generously to this most worthy cause.