Muiredach’s Cross, Monasterboice
For more than a century and a half successive generations of Co Louth people have experienced the presence of the Sisters of Mercy. To this day Sisters continue to live and work in the main towns of the County: Dundalk, Ardee and Drogheda.
Dundalk
At the request of Dr. John Coyne P.P. V.G., St. Patrick’s Parish, six Sisters of Mercy came to Seatown Place, Dundalk from Baggot Street, Dublin on 27th October, 1847. Dr. Coyne’s wish was to have a convent in his parish as “the source and centre of incalculable blessings” especially for the education of poor children. The Sisters opened the Convent National School on 28th October, 1847. More>>
The Old Convent, Dundalk
Ardee
Statue of Cuchullainn carrying Ferdia
In the years after the famine when poverty and sickness were deeply felt all over Ireland, Ardee was no exception. Rev. Canon J. Levins set out to improve the lives of his people and part of that plan was to set up a Convent in the town. The Dundalk Sisters were approached. Four Sisters were chosen for the foundation and welcomed to a newly built Convent in 1858.
Convent of Mercy, Ardee
In a very short space of time the Sisters identified the greatest needs of the people and quickly set about caring for the sick, visiting homes, providing education and helping in the Workhouse. More>>
The Former Workhouse
Drogheda
Martello Tower, Drogheda
On the 8th November, 1854, octave of All Saints’ Day, at the request of Rev. T. Matthews P.P., four Sisters from Tullamore Convent came to St. Mary’s Parish, Drogheda on a mission of mercy to people emerging from the Famine. The need for a Religious presence and Catholic education was urgent. The Sisters took up residence in No. 2 Dublin Road, later moving to a newly built Convent in 1879. More>>
Old Drogheda Convent
Sisters moved out of the Convent in Drogheda in 2011 and were replaced by a contemplative community of Visitation Sisters, from Stamullen, Co Meath. Today three Mercy Sisters live and minister in the parishes of St. Mary’s, Drogheda and Holy Family, Ballsgrove, Drogheda. 
As the state took over responsibility for much of the work undertaken by the founding communities, Sisters branched into many varied works in response to the needs of the present time.
Click here for further information on the development of Laytown, Co Meath.
