Roman Catholic

The word peace invariably springs to the mind of visitors and guests here. The Capuchin Friary,Ad Mhuire, while running a full programme, offers quietness and fresh air on the shore of Sheephaven Bay, beside Ards Forest Park and a stone's throw from the ocean. It is a wonderful, unqiue place.Because of its location, its natural beauty and long tradition of serving the spiritual needs of visitors, the Retreat Centre has been designated a Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Centre.

No movement in religious life is of any value, unless it be also a movement to the still centre of your existence, where Christ is. These words of the Holy Father on his visit to Ireland in 1979 might serve as a basic of a mission statement for the life and ministry of the Capuchin friars of Ards. Their Centre provides a place of peace and solitude for those who wish ' to come and rest a while.' It is a place to take care of the soul, an ideal setting for different kinds of groups and individual activities.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Send for Programme 2007

Open: February- December. Receives men, women, young people, groups, non-retreatants.Ard Mhuire Retreat House is available all year round, for individuals or groups - lay, religious, clerical, ecumenical, mixed- who wish to have some quiet time, restful, prayerful time in beautiful, relaxed surroundings or have a directed retreat or a lightly structured retreat.Ard Mhuire Conference centre is also available as above.
Rooms: Some 50 rooms in single and doubles.
Facilities: Conferences, garden, park, guest lounge, TV, guest phone no. (074)9138013.
Spiritual Help: Personal talks, spiritual direction, personal retreat direction, meditation, directed study. Sacrament of Reconciliation. Mass.
Guests Admitted to: Church, chapel, choir, and oratory.
Meals: Everyone eats together in refectory. Simple, wholesome food, vegetarian if requested. Silence observed during silent retreats.
Special Activities: Special programme. Write or Email for details or visit website.
Situation: Very quiet in the countryside near seaside with forest walks.
Maximum Stay: By arrangement.
Bookings: Letter, telephone 9.30AM-5.30PM, not 1-2PM, fax, email.All Retreats begin with 6.00pm supper on the first evening and, unless otherwise stated, end with breakfast on the final day.
Charges: Cost of Directed Retreats: €46 daily. Cost of Non-directed Retreats,
Holidays, Bank Holiday Weekends, Sabbatical Periods: €42 euro daily.
Access: On bus & car routes. McGinley Bus from Dublin to Creeslough, pickup is possible. Car to Letterkenny, then N56 to Creeslough. The Friars will give you detailed directions when you book.Senior Citizens Free Travel Pass is honoured on most of the private buses. If travelling from Dublin by public transport, please use the Mc Ginley bus (01 4513804) all the way to Creeslough car park. This is the preferred collecting point.On arrival for retreat, please use car park in front of the Friary and the new Front Entrance to the Friary.