Hill Fort, Clogher
Clogher Valley, Co Tyrone
Donaghmore Cross, Co Tyrone
Strabane, Co Tyrone
For almost 160 years, successive generations of people have experienced the presence of the Sisters of Mercy in Tyrone. While Sisters are still present in STRABANE, COOKSTOWN, DUNGANNON, CLOGHER and OMAGH, the ‘Big Convent’, a familiar landmark for many people, has in most instances, been replaced by smaller houses inserted into residential areas. This is how the story began in each place.
Strabane
Parish Priest, Rev. Dr. Devlin P.P.
The house, to which the Sisters of Mercy came in 1868
In 1867 the Parish Priest, Rev. Dr. Devlin P.P., contacted the Superior of the Convent of Mercy, Navan, with a request that Sisters would come and carry out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy in his parish in Strabane. When Mother Catherine made known the request to her community, many Sisters volunteered; five were chosen. On June 9th, 1868 the little band, headed by Mother Catherine, left on the early train for Strabane. more>>
Cookstown
The Sisters’ first house in Chapel Street, Cookstown
In 1886, Very Rev. Thomas Rice, P.P.V.F., Cookstown, applied to the Superior in Lurgan for a small Community of Sisters to found a Convent in his parish. On May 5th, 1887 four Sisters were sent there. Initially they occupied a small house in Chapel Street. When Canon Rice proposed to his parishioners that a Convent should be built he received a most generous response. The foundation stone of the new Convent was laid on June 3rd, 1889 and on November 6th, 1890 the Sisters moved to their new home. more>>
Dungannon
Dean Byrne invited the Sisters to Dungannon
Convent of Mercy, Dungannon, Co Tyrone
Dean Byrne, Parish Priest of Dungannon, concerned at the lack of facilities for the Catholic education of children of the town, called a public meeting of his parishioners to consider this problem. It was at this meeting that the idea of a convent in Dungannon was first publicly discussed. Gaining full support for this idea, it was agreed that the Sisters of Mercy in Dundalk would be asked to establish a community in Dungannon for that purpose. more>>
Clogher
St. Macartan’s Residential Home, Clogher
St. Macartan’s Residential Home, Clogher, was once the Palace of the Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher. When the Bishop changed to a residence in Fivemiletown, the Palace was sold. Some years later the late Most Rev. Dr. McKenna, Bishop of Clogher, bought St. Macartan’s for the diocese and gave it to the Sisters of St. Louis, Monaghan. They used it as a boarding and day school for girls intending to enter their congregation. more>>
Omagh
Tara Centre Omagh, Co Tyrone
Sisters Of Mercy In Tyrone Today
Sisters have been closely identified over many years with the more traditional ministries of Education, Nursing and Child Care. Nowadays, in response to changing times they have embraced a variety of ministries relevant to local circumstances and needs. In each instance Sisters endeavour to be faithful to the charism of Catherine McAuley, Foundress of the Congregation.
Ministry in Co Tyrone today falls into six broad categories:
• Healing and Life Enhancement
