St. Leo’s, was the fifth foundation made in Catherine’s lifetime. Several Bishops, hearing of her work in Baggot Street, invited her to found convents and schools in their dioceses.  The Sisters were invited to Carlow by Bishop Nolan. Catherine accompanied the first group: Sisters Frances Warde, Teresa Whyte, and Ursula Frayne. Cecilia Marmion and Josephine Trennor. They arrived in Carlow by coach on April the 11th 1837, the feast of St. Leo. Sr. Frances Warde was the first Superior; she was later to lead the first Mercy foundation to the USA, to Pittsburg. St. Leo’s was the first purpose built convent.

From Carlow to:

1839 Naas, Co Kildare Link here to 1851 Naas to Little Rock, Arkansas, US
1840 Wexford, Co Wexford
1842 Westport, Co Mayo
1843 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
1846 Tuam, Co Galway
1849 Cheadle, Staffordshire, England
1849/50 Auckland, New Zealand
1857 Gort, Co Galway
1881 The Union (The Workhouse), Carlow, Co Carlow
1898 Monasterevin, Co Kildare
1908 Graignamanagh, Co Kilkenny
1910 Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow

Baggot Street  |  Carlow  |  Limerick  |  Birr  |  Templemore

Doon  |  Abbeyfeale  |  Rathangan  |  New Inn