Cathedral, Longford
6, Curryline, Newtownforbes, Longford
Curryline is situated just outside the boundary wall of the Castleforbes Estate, but on Castle grounds. This location is very apt as it was Lord and Lady Granard who invited the Sisters to Newtownforbes in 1869. and gave them the site for the first Convent. Curryline was founded in 1991 when part of the old convent was condemned and had to be demolished. It is a quiet secluded spot looking out on lovely green pastures, convenient to quiet walks. There are three Sisters in the community at present, all going in different directions each day to their ministries. We welcome all who come to visit us.
San Michele Community, Newtownforbes, Longford
There are two Sisters in San Michele Community. Though retired are very active. People who have no mode of transport to go to Mass or shopping are taken by a Sister who is always willing to help people in need with a smile. The sisters host a Prayer Meeting every Thursday Night which consists of Rosary before the meeting, Scripture and sharing, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and the all important cup of tea afterwards! A couple of times a year the prayer group invite renowned speakers and gladly share these people with the Parish community. The Sisters are also involved in visitation of the sick and elderly.
We feel it is important that all our activity emanates from a vibrant community Prayer life.
31, Templemichael Glebe, Longford
Templemichael Glebe is a relatively new community born on September 24th, 1999 as part of the closure of the community at St. Josephs Hospital, the successor of the old 19th Century workhouse. There are two Sisters here at present.
Cnoc na Greine, Granard, Longford
Because of decreasing numbers it was decided to vacate Granard Convent in 2007. Two two-storey houses, adjacent to each other, No. 2 & 61 were purchased in a new housing estate – Cnoc na Greine. We are a short distance from the town and Parish Church. We took up residence here on Holy Thursday, 5th April 2007 and had busy months purchasing and bargain hunting and setting up home, as well as adjusting to smaller spaces! We are privileged to have a small Oratory with the Blessed Sacrament in No. 2 house, which we all use for personal prayer and Community prayer and Adoration. We have Mass occasionally, especially on special Feasts. We attend daily Mass and other devotions in the Parish Church.
House Ministry is a daily part of our lives. Visitation was always a priority in our Convent and we continue this strong tradition of visiting families, older people, nursing homes and hospitals and the sick and bereaved families. We are involved in the local Women’s Group, Young Priests’ Society, Prayer Group, Legion of Mary and Adult Education Centre. We link with the other Mercy Sisters in the area for Cluster Congregational meetings and for social occasions. Through our prayer and presence we are happy that the Mercy Charism continues in the Granard area.
Lanesborough, Longford
We are a small community living here in Lanesborough town on the banks of the river Shannon. The sisters of Mercy came to Lanesborough in the summer of 1953. At that time Ireland was in the throes of unemployment and emigration. Not so with Lanesborough, however. The development of the bogs had brought prosperity to the shannonside town and its environment. People came with young families from practically every county in the country to work with Bord na Mona and the ESB’s newly constructed generating station. The vastly increased population called for an expansion of services especially in the field of education. The Sisters of Mercy, Ballymahon, were called upon to answer this need.
The new foundation had very humble beginnings. At first there were three Sisters. Their first home was a small three roomed cottage on the Longford road; they later moved to Rathcline House, a country residence. This house was sold in 1970 and the Sisters moved into a new convent, a lovely red brick building, in town beside the secondary school.
The school continued to educate girls until 1990 when it amalgated with the local Vocational School and the Community College was born. Sisters were members of staff and continued to teach there for a few years.
In the late 1950s the Sisters were invited by the then Bishop to take charge of the girls primary education in Lanesborough. Land beside the Power station was purchased by the Sisters and donated to the parish. A new school – Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal – was officially opened in 1959. We continue to be involved in education, counselling, care of the sick, prayer ministry and house ministry.
St. Joseph’s Convent, Longford
Here in St Joseph’s Convent we are 19 Sisters in number. The age profile is as follows: 2 in their nineties, 7 in their eighties, 8 in their seventies, 6 in their sixties and three in their late fifties. Added to that we have six Sisters in Our Lady’s Manor, Edgeworthstown who are part of this Community and who are visited by the Sisters on a regular basis. All this speaks for itself. So the emphasis here would mostly be maintenance rather than mission as we sometimes understand it. The services of a nurse, Chiropodist and Hairdresser come here to St. Joseph’s as needed. Of the above 26 there are four Sisters still in active Ministry in School. With a staff of 12 the house is well maintained and the needs of the Sisters taken care of very well.
Upper Main Street, Ballymahon, Longford
On January 9th 1999 the Ballymahon Community moved their Convent to two houses in Main Street. Here, at Upper Main Street, we are at various stages of age – with a span of fifty years between the oldest member and the youngest. But we firmly believe that “the best is yet to be”. And as our river Inny flows into the lordly Shannon, so we hope that our efforts on behalf of Mercy will add to the great river of God’s compassion and care.
The Manor Lodge, Edgeworthstown, Longford
The Manor Lodge is situated in the town of Edgeworthstown on the N4, on the Dublin/Sligo Road. It is the original gate house to the Manor Nursing Home, home of the Novelist Maria Edgeworth. In August 2000 a community of two Sisters moved there and now one Sister resides there. Stop off at the Lodge for a ‘cuppa’ where a Céad Míle Fáilte awaits you.
19 Midara Gardens and 4 Moyle Park, Clondalkin, Co Dublin
Midara Gardens Community is comprised of two Sisters (one on loan to Congregational Leadership Administration – 4 Moyle Park, Clondalkin) and one ministers in Pastoral Care in St. Joseph’s Care Centre, Longford. The house is a small Bungalow type house situated on the outskirts of Longford on the Dublin road. It now has three bedrooms and a computer store room and a small Oratory. In the area of Midara Gardens we are a presence, our door is open to welcome neighbours and offer a prayer and a helping hand where possible.
