On a bright cold day in March 1835, the first Sisters of Mercy came to live in Kingstown. Catherine’s reason for the opening of this second convent was unique among those for her other foundations. It was opened for the benefit of the health of the Sisters. Catherine became alarmed by the many deaths among the first Sisters, tuberculosis was rampant at that time and the early Sisters were often given to imprudent austerities. The idea of a change of air for the ailing Sisters occurred to her or was put to her by the doctors who had to be called on so frequently to Baggot Street. A roomy house then available in Sussex Place Kingstown was purchased and there was made the first foundation from Baggot Street. The Sussex Place house later became St. Patrick’s convent and the Sisters set out to establish a school there for the poor children of the area.

“God knows, I would rather be poor and hungry than that the poor of Kingstown or anywhere else should be deprived of any consolation in your power to offer them.”  – Catherine McAuley