Convent of Mercy, Doon
“A cold coming they had of it, just the worst time of the year for a journey” – and so with the Sisters of Mercy who came from Kinsale, in 1865, to the little hamlet of Doon. They came on a cold February morning with little possessions but with lots of enthusiasm, and with a strong faith.
Fr. Hickey, the then parish priest of Doon inviting them stipulated that he would like his niece, Sr. Augustine Hickey, to be the first Superior. His grand-niece, Sr. Patrick O’Brien came as well as Sr. Teresa Fallon, Sr. de Pazzi Kilroe and Sr. Bridget Fitzgerald.
Fr. Hickey left them his house as well as some land. Unfortunately he had died before they took up residence. Of that residence, the side door (front door) and small and large parlours remain intact.
Doon was just coming to life after the hard days of the famine. The people had little but on the night of the Sisters arrival they brought blankets and food to help the Sisters until their goods arrived from Pallasgreen train station the following day.
Sr. de Pazzi was the first to take initiative and she began visiting the sick and the elderly in the parish. Her reputation as a kind, compassionate person spread and the people believed she had special powers of healing. They welcomed her and queued up to receive her touch and her cures. Thus began the ministry of visitation that remained an important part of the Sisters work as they remained in Doon until 2016.
“Our Foundress generated in her Sisters a deep concern for the sick and dying poor, … This concern engages us in the compassionate care of the sick, manifesting to them Christ’s healing love …
Constitutions of the Sisters of Mercy
Sr. de Pazzi imbued the life of the Sisters in Doon with Mercy and Compassion, imbibing in herself and these first Sisters the wishes of their Foundress Catherine McAuley.
From the start the Sisters had a great desire to further the education of the young girls in Doon. The Christian Brothers came to Doon shortly after the Sisters and catered for the young boys and so Doon became a centre of learning, the young people, rising like the phoenix from the dust of the famine to the heights of education and culture. Due to the frugal living of the Sisters a Convent was constructed, a school building was created and bit by bit not only did the schools expand, but the Convent too. The number of Sisters increased, the first Postulant was Jane Green from Glengar.
Doon Convent Chapel
Three things stand out as part and parcel of what the Sisters stood for. Their humanity and care as was evidenced in the boarding school they established for young girls, secondly their belief and commitment to education and to the development of music, drama, speech training, art and singing which were given to the young people free of charge.
Thirdly they had a great love of the Missions which they passed on to many an idealist among the girls. Peru, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Hong Kong, Brazil and the USA had many a Doon person in their midst, imbued with the Kingdom of God, Justice, Education and Health Care.
Because of the increase in the number of Sisters they established other centres of prayer, education and health care not forgetting visitation of the sick that was part and parcel of the first Sisters lives. As a point of interest Sr. de Pazzi, after a number of years went back to Kinsale and is buried there.
Thurles was founded in 1877 – a very hard mission but a rewarding one. Cappamore was founded in 1896, Newport in 1901, St. Patrick’s College Thurles in 1950, Fair Oaks, USA in 1959, St. Dunstan’s San Francisco in 1972. The mustard seed of 1865 grew and flourished until about 1990. New Ministries showed themselves and what once was answering the need in society for education and health care became no more. The state took over both and Sisters saw other needs that needed intervention.
A beautiful new school was built and the schools around the Doon area were amalgamated. St. Joseph’s – a jewel in the crown of education was closed and a new era had begun with Scoil na Trinoide Naofa.
What had once been a Convent full of Sisters busy about many things became a quiet space full of memories and nostalgia. What began with five now became seven – life in the Convent in Doon had come full circle. What before had been unthinkable became a reality and the “seven” were asked to think about the next phase of their lives as Doon was on the cards to close. 1st July, 2016 was to be “D” day. With heavy hearts and loads to do the Sisters started preparing their exit. One hundred and fifty one years of collecting, repairing, cherishing, and dusting began with a skip outside the door. One skip became two, then three, the sorting and clearing seemed endless. An auction was held and one by one the rooms became empty and silent. The chapel seemed so big and so lonesome – the soft breeze of summer blew through the trees and the little graveyard sighed a quiet sigh as if to say “Our work is done”.
Sisters in reception room recalling treasured memories
The last Sisters were Sr. Josephine Ryan, Sr. Bernardine Ryan, Sr. Cecilia English, Sr. Mary McMahon, Sr. Teresa O’Dwyer, Sr. Joan Bradshaw and Sr. Sheila Sheehan.
Sr. Helena Blackwell was their Leader and she and Sr. Mary Walsh worked tirelessly to make the exit a dignified one. There were many others who were very generous with their help.
Sr. Helen O’Neill saw to the many books that had accumulated and many others helped by their understanding of the situation, by their prayers and by standing shoulder to shoulder with the Sisters as they bade good bye to what had been a faithful nurturing home for many. The wider Doon family felt it too and many a silent tear was shed. The parish, headed by the then Parish Priest, Fr. Tony Ryan gave them a great send-off expressing it’s appreciation of the Sisters, of their work, prayers and friendship. It was a sad day but somehow the cheerful acceptance of the Sisters to the situation was inspiring and highlighted their peaceful prayerful acknowledgement to the vow of obedience they had taken some years before.
As they came in 1865 so they left in 2016 with enthusiasm and a strong faith.
“For all that has been, thanks
For all that is Amen
For all that will be, yes”.
Ballyhoura is showing a great interest in the farm and buildings so it is hoped, with God’s help, the Convent will buzz again with good work.
Mercy O’Dea rsm
South Central Province
