Our History

Ardagh & Clonmacnois continued

1926 - ST BRIGID'S , ARDAGH, CO LONGFORD

St Brigid's, Ardagh in the snow

After the free State was set up, Rural Domestic Economy schools were established by the State. The Fetherstone Estate and Lodge, Ardagh came on the market. The superior of the Longford Convent had a vision to set up a similar RDE School in Ardagh.

After consultation with the Community the Fetherstone Lodge was purchased by them, with the aim of setting up a Rural Domestic Economy School for the training of young girls.

On 11th July, 1927 Srs Brigid O'Rafferty, Carmel Kearney and Malachy Tighe left Longford to begin the pioneer work there after reconstruction and improvements had been made to the building. Srs Perpetua Bolger and Agatha Duffy were among the first group of pupils.

Domestic Science, Dairy and Poultry, Laundry, Cookery, Arts and Crafts etc were efficiently taught by trained and experienced teachers. It was grant-aided from the beginning by the Department of Agriculture until the mid 1980s, when grants ceased to be paid to such Colleges. The sisters financed the School for one year. In order to meet the needs of the day, the College changed focus and included Urban and Rural girls. It was funded for two years by the Youth Employment Agency and in recent times by FAS. It is now known as St Brigid's College for Further Education and Training.

It is the only residential College of its kind in the country. Modules now include Computer and Office Applications, Childcare, Food and Cookery, Restaurant and Hospitality Skills, Horticulture, Health and Safety, Personal Development, Textiles and Crafts. A large Conference Hall, Catering and Dining Areas and offices have been added recently.

For over 76 years the Sisters of Mercy have continued the work begun in 1927.

15th September 1944 - ST MEL'S COLLEGE

At the request of Bishop McNamee 3 Longford sisters took charge of the "temporals" in St Mel's College. A new Convent was built for their use. The first sisters were - Agatha Duffy, Thecla Treacy and Felicitas Geraghty.

16th April 1952 - OUR LADY'S NURSING HOME, EDGEWORTHSTOWN

The ancestral home of Maria Edgeworth was acquired by the Longford sisters in 1947. It was a deed of gift from Mr Bernard Noonan, a native of Edgeworthstown, who lived in America.

All the big houses, including The Manor in Edgeworthstown, were taken over by the Military for Training as a preparation, to defend the country in the event of War, between 1939 and 1945 World War 2. The house was vacant for some time and had deteriorated.

CAPTIONS (Maria Edgeworth)

Mr Noonan contacted the Bishop to see if this house could be used for a good purpose. It was then that the sisters of Mercy Longford were contacted and they acquired the premises and some land.

In 1948, Srs Malachy Tighe, Ursula McGuinness and Oliver Currid took up residence in the Manor. From basement to attic the house was refurbished and it was only in 1951 that it was ready for occupation as a Nursing Home. The Manor Nursing Home did not receive any State grant at that time.

'The Manor' by Jenny Sharkey

On 16th April 1952 Our Lady's Nursing Home was opened. It included a Maternity Unit, which continued until the late 1970s. Many extensions were added on, including a beautiful Chapel and Mortuary, a large Diningroom, bedrooms and Conservatory. From 1951 until the present Our Lady's Manor Nursing Home has been a place of comfort and welcome where excellent nursing care and the spiritual and physical well-being of the patients is a priority.

16th July 1861 - MOATE, CO WESTMEATH

The Convent of Mercy, Moate was founded from Kells, Co Meath on the feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, under the patronage of Bishop Kilduff of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.

Mrs Colgan owned a Drapery and Grocery shop in Moate. Her husband died and she wished to bring Religious to her native town, to serve the people by visiting the sick and aged and to open schools for the children of Moate. She entered the Convent of Mercy, Kells, and was received in October 1860 and given the name Sr M deChantal. Her Profession took place in the old Parish Church in Moate on 15th October 1861. She sold her house, bought a three-storey house opposite the old Parish Church for the foundation of the Convent.

She became the Foundress of the Convent, with 4 other sisters from Kells. Immediately, the sisters began visiting the sick and teaching girls, the latter in a Coachhouse at the rear of the Convent. When the number of sisters increased they bought the neighbouring house. These two houses formed the Convent until the early 1990s when they were condemned and the building considered unsafe for people to live in. When fever broke out in the Industrial School, Sr deChantal nursed the children and caught the fever herself and died in 1874.

In 1875 an Orphanage, Mt Carmel was built, to provide shelter for children who had been orphaned. This eventually catered for about 72 children from infancy to 16 years. The Cloister, joining the Convent to the Orphanage, was used as classrooms for the Primary School.

In 1899 the sisters bought the house and lands - Aughanairgead - adjoining the Convent, so as to give a site with an approach from the road for a Primary School. This School was opened in 1903. Aughanairgead House, now named St Mary's was used as a School to educate the daughters of small farmers in Home-making skills. This School, added to in 1934, continued in existence until 1967.

In the meantime, Secondary Education, which had first been provided in part of the Primary School, was moved to an expanded St Mary's, and afterwards to St Josephs, built in 1954. Boarders had been part of the Secondary School from the beginning and in the 1960s they numbered over 160. The Boarding School was closed in the late 1980s. From 1991-1996 the pupils and staff of the local Vocational School shared the Campus with the Mercy pupils and staff. The School was re-named Mercy College. In 1996 the Carmelite College and Mercy College amalgamated to form Moate Community School, on the site of the former Mercy Secondary School. There are now 934 students in the Community School and 160 in the Primary School.

2nd April, 1872 - BALLYMAHON

At the invitation of the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Dr Conway, the sisters from Moate founded a Convent in Ballymahon. The founding sisters were - Srs Augustine Halloran, Aloysius Finnegan, deChantal Colgan and Francis Whelan. Rev Fr Smith gave his house to the sisters as a temporary Convent. They visited the sick and the poor in the area. They set up and taught in a Pension School. In 1873 they took charge of the Primary School.

1877-78 - Land was bought by the sisters for £750 for a new Primary School, which was opened on 24th September 1878. The sisters discontinued the Pension School in 1880 and the pupils were transferred to the Primary School. On 5th May 1882 the sisters came to reside in the new Convent and the first Ceremony, the Profession of Sr Xavier Johnson took place on May 21st. A further extension was built in 1895. In 1892 the Guardian of the Workhouse asked Sr Xaviour Johnson to teach in the Workhouse School and Sr Aloysius Hickey to nurse in the Infirmary. The sisters continued this work until the closure of the Workhouse in 1921.

In 1922 Bishop Hoare asked the sisters to provide Second Level Eucation in Ballymahon. A three-roomed building was erected near the National School and named St Brigid's Intermediate School for Girls. In September 1924 the School was placed under the Board of Education and in 1932 it was recognised as an all-Irish or A School. In 1937 when a new Primary School was built, the old National School was taken over by the Secondary School which was both Boarding and Day. In 1959 it became a co - educational. Other extensions were added.

1963 - A Childcare Group Home was opened in Ballymulvey, Ballymahon in 1993 with Sr May Lynam in charge.

In 1976 an extensive new Secondary School was built. The building was grant-aided by the Department of Education. This was the first time that Ballymahon had received financial aid for building purposes in its 50 years of existence. Between 1983 and 2000 further extensions of Laboratories, Classrooms and Sports Hall were built. In 1992 the Boarding School was closed.

In the year 2000 the Boys National School and the Convent National School amalgamated to form St Mathew's School. Classes are presently conducted for boys and girls in the Sacred Heart Convent School.

1890 - ST VINCENT'S HOSPITAL, ATHLONE

In 1880, Athlone Board of Guardians applied to Dr Woodlock, Ardagh and Clonmacnois for nuns from Moate to undertake the care of the sick poor in the Union Workhouse, Athlone. He consented. Sisters Alacoque , deSales and Evangelist, after Nursing Training, commenced work in the Hospital in Easter Week 1890. Later, Srs Brigid, Clare and Vincent joined them.

When the Amalgamation of Workhouses took place, the Athlone inmates were transferred to The County Home, Mullingar. Athlone Workhouse became a District Hospital, with Sr Vincent as Matron.

1952 - LANESBOROUGH

Lanesborough Convent was founded from Ballymahon at the invitation of Bishop James J McNamee of Ardagh and Clonmacnois and at the request of the people in the Lanesborough area. The first sisters were - Srs Michael Fleury, Brigid Grehan and Evangelist Doherty. On the 8th of September 1953 they opened a Secondary School in a rented premises that had been the local Cinema cum-Ballroom. This premises they later purchased, renovated and extended. In 1957 a Girls' new National School was built on land given by the Convent. In May, 1958 it was opened with Sr Clement Lalor as Principal.

The first Convent in Lanesboro' on the Longford road

The sisters living accommodation was a small rented roadside house on the outskirts of the town. In January 1956 the sisters moved to the renovated School in town. In November 1956 a few of the sisters moved out to Rathcline House and motored into to School each day.

The diminishing school-going population towards the end of the 80s led to the merging of the Convent Secondary School with the local Vocational School and a new School - Lanesborough Community College was established on the Vocational School site in 1989.

On 31st May 1968 the "country" Convent was sold and in March 1972 the sisters moved into their new Convent beside the girls Secondary School.

AMALGAMATION

In 1920 at the instigation of Bishop Hoare, the convents in Mohill, Granard, Newtownforbes and Longford were amalgamated. Sr Cecelia Farrington was Mother General and Sr Gabriel Noone was Novice Mistress and they resided in Newtownforbes. Srs Mercy Keane and Patrick Kelly from the Granard Community joined the Newtownforbes Community. Moate and Ballymahon convents were not part of the Amalgamation. Bishop James J McNamee dissolved the amalgamation in 1929. Mohill remained united to Newtownforbes until 1965, when it became an autonomous Community.

DIOCESAN UNION

In 1978 the Sisters of Mercy in the Diocese with their Overseas Foundations came together as one Congregation known as - THE SISTERS OF MERCY, ARDAGH AND CLONMACNOIS.

Each Convent/House was autonomous with its own Leader and was governed by The Mother General, Sr Regina Murphy, and her Council, Srs Regina Beglan, Clare McNamara, Celine Keegan, and Elizabeth Manning. The Mother General and the first Councillor resided in Villa Maria, Lanesborough in 1978-79. This building was used as offices only in 1979-80.

In 1980 the Villa Maria offices were moved from Lanesborough to Ardagh, in a temporary building. In July 1986 the Ardagh Gate Lodge became vacant. A Conference Room was built and the house renovated. In the Spring of 1987 the Villa Maria Mercy Diocesan offices were opened in the Gate Lodge.

15th August 1990 - ST MICAEL'S ROAD, LONGFORD

From Diocesan Assembly 1987, with Sr Clare McGovern as Mother General a decision was made to establish a Community in a Council Housing Estate. On 15th August 1990, with Sr Elizabeth Manning as Mother General, sisters Goretti McDermott, Judith Kirwan, Elizabeth Holloway and Angela Clarkson formed this Community, now known as Annaly Gardens - where they live among and as neighbours with the people and continue their various Mercy apostolates.

January 25th 1991 - 19, MIDARA GARDENS, LONGFORD

The sisters working in St Joseph's Hospital, Longford lived in Health Board rented accommodation. After Diocesan Chapter 1990 Sr Elizabeth Manning and Council purchased a house in Midara Gardens. Srs Pius Dooly, Evangelist Tiernan, and Sr Anna Burke took up residence there and continued the ministries in which they were already involved.

25th January 1991 - 6 CURRYLINE, NEWTOWNFORBES.

In the Autumn of 1990 architects confirmed that a wing of the Convent in Newtownforbes was unsafe as a living area for the sisters. Sr Elizabeth Manning and her Council decided to provide alternative accommodation and bought a vacant house in Curryline area of Newtownforbes. On 25th January 1991, a cold and frosty evening, Srs Joseph (Eileen) Flannery, Clare McDermott, Joan Ham and Elizabeth Tierney moved in. Srs Joseph (Principal) and Clare taught in the Girls'
Primary School. Sr Joan (Principal) and Sr Elizabeth Tierney taught in St Joseph's Secondary School.

7th March 1991 - COOSAN, ATHLONE

At Diocesan Chapter 1990 it was suggested that sisters living in Health Board accommodation would investigate the possibility of purchasing their own house. As a result this house was purchased and on 7th March 1991 Srs Assumpta Kane, Nuala McDonnell, Kathleen Lee and Catherine Roche, all from St Vincent's Hospital Convent, Athlone, came to Coosan and continued their work in the Hospital from there.

February 1991 - BETHANY, STATION ROAD, MOATE, CO WESTMEATH

The Diocesan Chapter of 1990 encouraged the exploration of living in Small Communities. The large Convent in Moate had become unsafe. In 1970 the local Bank Manager built a house on a site purchased from the sisters. It was bought back by Sr Elizabeth Manning and her Council in 1990. In February 1991 Srs Bernard Healy, Acquin O'Sullivan, Maeve Rowan, Ann O'Flanagan, Camillus Metcalfe and Helen Diviney moved into that house. From there they continued their Mercy ministries.

15th August 1992 - DRUMSHANBO, CO LEITRIM

In February 1992 Bishop Colm O'Reilly at the request of Mother Angela, Abbess of the Poor Clare Convent in Drumshanbo, approached Sr Elizabeth Manning, Superior General, as to the possibility of forming a Community of Mercy Sisters who would live in the Lodge adjoining the Poor Clare Convent. The Mercy Sisters would work closely with the Poor Clare Nuns and also develop a Mercy Apostolate in the Parish. This request was welcomed, since, at our Diocesan Chapter in 1990, the Congregation had committed itself to addressing the needs in Rural Areas.

On August 15th 1992 Srs Joseph Regan, Alphonsus O'Brien, Clare McDermott and Helen Keegan formed the new Community. This was a new venture for both Congregations. Bishop Colm O'Reilly blessed the house and celebrated Mass in the Convent Chapel. On 16th August the Bishop celebrated Mass in the Parish Church and presented the four Sisters to the people, explaining their Mission and Apostolate. In his Homily, he showed how Contemplative Nuns, Active Sisters and People should all pray and work together for the good of the whole People of God. Their Apostolate included Teaching, Prayer Groups, Retreat Centres,Visitation, Choirs, Serving the external needs of the Enclosed Poor Clare Sisters.

30th June 1993 -MOUNT CARMEL, MOATE

Ath-an-Airgid was the first Department financed Group Home. The site was given by the Sisters. It was officially opened on October 18th 1973. The conditions were - the Sisters own the site which was to be used for Childcare for 20 years, when the Sisters would then own the house.

On June 30th 1993 the Sisters took back the building for use as a Community House as the Convent had to be vacated before being demolished. In August 1993 Srs Xavier Molloy, Ignatius Hanrahan, Aquin O'Sullivan, Oliver Holloway, Teresa Keegan, May Lynam, May Keegan, Mary Fox and Martina Healy moved into this house in August 1993 and continued their involvement in their former ministries.

25 August 1993 - 4 CHURCH STREET, EDGEWORTHSTOWN

In August 1992, due to the size of St Elizabeth's Convent, Edgeworthstown for 5 sisters and the mounting cost of maintenance of the grounds, Sr Elizabeth Manning, in consultation with the Community, decided to sell the Convent. A small 3-bedroomed Terraced house was bought - No 4 Church Street - for the three sisters whose ministry was in the area.

On August 25th 1993 Srs Angels Curran, Maureen Brennan and Kathleen Flood moved into that new area. The Convent was leased to the Midland Health Board for the first year and finally, purchased.

Summer 1993 - SANCTA MARIA, HALL ROAD, MOATE

When Sr Elizabeth was superior of the Convent in Moate it was recommended by the engineers that the Convent should be vacated, as it was in a dangerous condition. This house was bought the following Sisters took up residence there - Gabriel O'Reilly, Olive Donohoe, Agnes Mee, Clare McNamara, Johanna McGovern and Paul Lehane. From there they continued their various Mercy works.

OVERSEAS FOUNDATIONS

Through the 1950s an urgent call from the American Church for help in Catholic Education found a ready response in the hearts of many sisters. Mercy foundations were made in :-

NEVADA - Ely, August 1958 and Reno 1962; (Longford Convent)

FLORIDA - Palm Bay 1963, (Newtownforbes) Lake Worth 1963 (Moate)

MISSOURI - Columbia 25th August 1960, Fulton 1970, Kirksville 1976.(Ballymahon)

July 1983 - ZAMBIAN MISSION

The Convent - Lundazi - 1984

In response to the call of the Assembly of 1981 to found an African Mercy Mission, Sr Regina Murphy, Mother General and Sr Regina Beglan went to the diocese of Chipata to explore the situation. Six priests of the Ardagh and Clonmacnois were already on Mission there. It was decided to make the foundation in Lundazi, in the northern part of the Diocese, it being one of the most needy parishes.

In July 1983, Sisters Teresa Sheeran, Alphonsus O'Brien, Anna Burke, Mary McWeeney and Mary Doherty were the pioneering sisters who would be part of the prayer, life and of the Parish through their work in the State and Mission Hospitals and in the Schools.

The Sisters of Mercy have well and truly given over 140 years of sacrifice and fruitful service, and opened doors of opportunity, not only to the people of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, but to the Church and State in Ireland and throughout the world.

William Shakespeare

 

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