File 3 - Correspondence of Ard Mhuire Friary Guardian

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'.