Mourne Mountains, Co Down
Newry
The Sisters of Mercy’s association with Co Down began on the 26th June 1855 when five Sisters arrived in Newry from the Convent of Mercy, Kinsale, Co Cork. They were invited by Dr. Michael Blake to found a convent and took up residence in what was known as Ogle’s Big House in Canal Street, Newry, which had been purchased for them as a temporary convent.
Canal Street Sign
A Monument of the Newry Canal Worker
Sign welcoming you to Newry City
By 1860 the temporary convent proved too small due to the increasing numbers of Sisters and in 1862 the community relocated to Catherine Street.
Catherine Street Convent
Stained Glass window in the Emmanuel Chapel in Catherine Street Convent
The Sisters gradually became involved in Primary, Intermediate and Grammar School education in Newry, while one Sister was involved in teaching in Mary Immaculate University College, Limerick.
Mary Immaculate University College, Limerick
St. Joseph’s Primary School, Edward Street
Our Lady’s Grammar School
St. Mary’s High School, Newry
In 1879 the Sisters took charge of a spacious house and garden purchased by Mr. Thomas Fegan. Originally, this was for the care of ‘respectable destitute females of the town’ but, gradually, extended its intake to cater for the needs of the elderly. With the passing of time, this building incorporated an orphanage which eventually evolved into a wide ranging facility catering for the needs of children and their families.
This work has continued and today Sisters are active in promoting the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and in after-care programmes.
Our Mother of Mercy Nursing and Residential Home
Orana Children & Respite Centre, Newry
Click here to view more information on Orana Children & Family Centre
Rostrevor:
In 1865 the Sisters opened a Convent in Rostrevor. They opened a national school there and from the outset they were involved in visitation of the sick, elderly and needy of the parish.
Original Convent, Rostrevor
Current Convent in Rostrevor
Warrenpoint:
In 1888 the Sisters moved to Warrenpoint and set up the Convent National School the following year. Following the Northern Ireland Reform Act in 1988, co-education became the norm and in September 2000 a purpose built school – St. Dallan’s on the Clonallon Road – replaced the former single sex school.
St. Dallan’s Primary School
While the former Great Northern Hotel, purchased by the Sisters in 1923, was originally used as a boarding school, it was converted into St. Joseph’s Home for Aged Men in 1938. The Home is under the management of Mercy Care since 2001.
St. Joseph’s Home, Warrenpoint
On the 19th October, 1991 a unique project was begun in Warrenpoint by Sr. Anna Maria Crawford R.I.P., Paula Jordan, Sarah Barr and Mary Burns. This lay/religious group came together to establish a weekend and holiday house which would provide respite care for those with mental handicaps, thus offering the guests a short holiday and their families a much needed break. All denominations are welcome and the project is run on voluntary donations. Many part-time volunteers give of their time and energy without any payment.
Click here to view more information on Arbour House.
Click here to view more information on the Sisters of Mercy in Co Down.
Bessbrook:
The work of the Sisters, however, was not confined to Co Down alone. In 1889 Sisters moved to Bessbrook, Co Armagh and there they engaged in the work of education, visitation of the sick and elderly and as Parish Sisters.
Bessbrook Convent
Click here to view more information on Bessbrook.
Missionary Outreach:
From Newry a missionary element was introduced in 1961 when five Sisters went to St. Dominic’s, Mobile, Alabama, USA. The new school opened with 262 pupils. Over the years the community was augmented with Sisters from Newry, Bessbrook and Lurgan. Today the school is still thriving and is well acclaimed throughout the district.
Further missionary ventures were undertaken when Sisters went to Minna, Nigeria and Mazabuka, Zambia.
This Missionary Outreach continues today as one Sister works with a team, caring for people with HIV.
Downpatrick
Statue of St. Patrick
Dún Pádraig – Downpatrick is the county town of Down bearing the name of our National Apostle, St. Patrick. The area known as Lecale has a long and proud history as a centre of Christianity going back to 432 A.D. when St. Patrick and his followers landed on Strangford Lough near the mouth of the river Slaney. Patrick established his first church there at Saul on the site of a barn, given to him by the local chief, Dichu. From there, he set forth on his mission to bring the Good News of the Gospel to the people of Ireland.
Downpatrick, set within rolling hills and drumlins with the Mourne Mountains in the background, is one of the oldest towns in Ireland. Its history can be traced back to the Bronze Age. Throughout the centuries Downpatrick and the surrounding area has been a place of Christian settlement and pilgrimage as is evidenced by the many monastic and ecclesiastic ruins in the area e.g. the abbeys at Saul, Inch, Nendrum, Struell Wells, St. Patrick’s Well, Dunsford. According to legend “In Down three Saints one grave fill Patrick, Brigid and Colmcille”
St. Brigid’s Celtic Cross in St. Patrick’s Church, Downpatrick
Stained Glass Window of St. Patrick, in St. Patrick’s Church, Downpatrick
This grave is in the grounds of the Church of Ireland Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in the town. St. Patrick’s Catholic Church has a beautiful mosaic shrine portraying the life of the Saint.
It was to this historic town that the Sisters of Mercy came on 21st June, 1855. The town at that time, like many parts of rural Ireland, was struggling with the aftermath of the great Famine. There was hunger, disease and great poverty.
Convent of Mercy, Downpatrick
In addition to their teaching duties the Sisters visited the poor, the sick and the dying in their homes bringing whatever relief and comfort was in their power. Their involvement in Nursery, Primary and Secondary education continued until 2002 when, due to age and declining vocations, they were no longer able to staff these schools.
Today the Sisters continue their Mercy ministry through visitation of the housebound, sick and bereaved, pastoral work in schools and daily involvement in the life of the parish. One Sister from the community is currently working in Zambia.
Click here to view more information on Zambia.
Students receiving certificates in Mazabuka, Zambia
All the Sisters, however, are engaged in the prayer apostolate and in trying to provide a listening ear to those in need or who are anxious, thus trying to promote human and Christian values in a fast-changing, technological age.
Continuing the Mercy Spirit:
As time passed the focus of the Sisters changed. Currently some Sisters live in the traditional convents while others live in houses among the people. They are engaged in a wide range of activities which include:
