Convent of Mercy, Westport, Co Mayo

Foundation to Westport

In October 1841 Very Rev. Dean Burke applied to Mother Catherine McAuley for Sisters for Westport. He chose the Sisters of Mercy because of their preference for the service of the poor, their devotion to education and to visitation of the sick.  Catherine promised the desired foundation as soon as Sisters were available but she herself died on 11th November, 1841. The Dean waited another year before visiting Baggot Street to renew his request. On this occasion he was graciously advised to apply to Carlow where “heads and hands” were available. Francis Warde, one of Catherine’s first companions, promised to release three Sisters for Westport. Sr. Paul Cullen – Superior Elect (sister of Archbishop Cullen), Srs. Gertrude O’Brien and Magdalene O’Brien who were still Novices were chosen. On 6th September Dean Burke escorted them from Carlow and they were accompanied by Sr. Francis Warde and another Novice, Sr. Xavier Peppard. They stopped to visit Tullamore where they were warmly welcomed by Sr. Angela Doyle, who had been received and Professed with Catherine McAuley in George’s Hill. Following the visit, they set out for Tuam to meet Archbishop John McHale who received them graciously and cordially welcomed them to his Diocese. They also visited the Presentation Convent in Tuam where they were warmly welcomed by the Sisters.

On 9th September they set off for the final leg of the journey to Westport and reached the parish church at 5 pm. A huge crowd had gathered to welcome them and the Te Deum was solemnly chanted. The Dean escorted them to his own house while he moved into temporary accommodation for the next 25 months. For more information, please click here.

In the beginning, the Foundress, Catherine McAuley, envisaged each new Mercy convent being autonomous, making decisions locally so that they could respond more appropriately to the needs of a particular area. Postulants continued to come and, as early as 1846, the Westport Sisters were ready to consider other foundations.

Foundations

Sligo: The request came from the Administrator of the Parish and on 30th June, 1846 Sr. M. de Sales McDonnell, Superior-elect with three other Sisters left from Westport to found a convent in Sligo. As was common practice Mother Paul Cullen and a companion accompanied them and remained in Sligo for a month.

Ballinrobe: A request for Sisters came from Fr. Hardiman in Ballinrobe and on 15th February, 1851, four Sisters left for Ballinrobe in answer to his appeal.

Crimea:  A request that did not materialise.  For more information, please click here.

Goulburn, Australia: In Holy Week of 1859, a request came from the Wexford Superioress to found a Convent in Goulburn, Australia, a mission she herself could not undertake. After much prayer and reflection, they accepted the call. Mother M. Ignatius Murphy, Superior-Elect and five more Sisters were chosen for the mission. For more information, please click here.

Branch Houses:
Branch houses remained attached to Westport and under the authority of the motherhouse.

Newport

Convent of Mercy, Newport, Co Mayo

In 1887 an opportunity presented itself to open a Branch House near home. Fr. P. Greally, newly appointed P.P. in Newport approached Mother Paul and asked to open a Branch House in Newport. On 2nd July, 1887 seven Sisters left from Westport and a rousing welcome awaited them. The Sisters continued the usual pattern of responding to local needs and maintained a close relationship with Westport.  For more information, please click here.

Ballyhaunis

Convent of Mercy, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo

A request was received to open a Branch House in Ballyhaunis and the consent of Archbishop McEvilly was received. Lands were acquired and the convent was built. The original plan had been to open the Convent on 15th August, 1898 but due to a misunderstanding with the Archbishop, it was postponed until 27th August. The foundation flourished.  For more information, please click here.

Achill

Convent of Mercy, Achill, Co Mayo

In 1905, following a conversation between Mother Columba and Archbishop Healy, the Sisters decided to explore the possibility of a foundation in Achill. With the approval of the Archbishop, Superior-Elect, Sr. Alphonsus Heaney and three others took up residence in a two storey house opposite the parish church. They lived there for eight years in poverty and privation.  For more information, please click here.

Mulranny

Convent of Mercy, Mulranny, Co Mayo

The Archbishop was anxious to have a Nursing Order in Mulranny but his plans did not work out. Canon McDonald approached the Archbishop requesting permission to offer the place, school included, to the Westport Community. The Sisters were delighted as it would provide a link between Westport, Newport and Achill Sound. On 10th November, 1926, Mother Alphonsus Heaney, her Assistant and the two “Pioneers” set out for Mulranny. For more information, please click here.

Foundation to Tuam

Convent of Mercy, Tuam, Co Galway

In 1844, Archbishop McHale was bequeathed a large sum of money in order to establish Convents in his Diocese. Once again he visited Carlow and appealed for Sisters. The Sisters in Carlow agreed and the Sisters chosen for the foundation were: Sr. Alphonsus Ryan, Sr. Brigid Maher (who was a Postulant and remained in Carlow until she was received), Sr. Josephine Cullen (who was appointed in the meantime), and Sr. Angela Johnson, who was appointed to Tuam on a temporary basis to help out for some months.

On 13th January, 1846, Mother Cecelia Maher and the five Sisters, accompanied by Archdeacon James McHale and Rev. Luke Ryan C.C, left Carlow and spent that night in Baggot Street. On the following day they arrived in Tuam and were taken to Cornfield House acquired by the Archbishop. The foundation stone for the Convent was laid on 16th January, 1846. There were many extensions over the years.  For more information, please click here.

Education:
They began with a Poor School in the old Barracks and 200 children were taught in a small room. It was only in 1851 when the ravages of the famine eased that the Sisters could devote time to the development of schools.  After a lot of hard work collecting funds, a new school on Dublin Road was completed in 1867, with room to accommodate 300 children.  For more information, please click here.

Travellers:
Tuam was always a great centre for travellers. They came for the October Fairs and settled in tents during the winter. Some got houses in Gilmartin Road. The children were prepared for the sacraments by the Sisters. In the late 1960’s, Mr. Carey, the school inspector, set up evening classes for Travellers, and therefore, the children had classes in the Primary school.  For more information, please click here.

Foundations

Swinford
On June 5th, 1855, Sisters Aloysius Martyn and De Sales Coppinger left Tuam to start a community of Sisters of Mercy in Swinford, Co Mayo. This became an independent foundation.

Branch Houses

Claremorris

Convent of Mercy, Claremorris, Co Mayo

In May 1876, Mother Gertrude Dowdall in Tuam received a letter from Fr. Richard McHale informing her of his desire for a Convent in Claremorris and of the availability of a house should they accept his invitation. They agreed to go. The four Sisters who made up the pioneer band from the Tuam community were Srs. Johann Dowdall, Catherine O’Loughlin, Magdalen McDonnell and Colette Doyle. They, accompanied by Mother Gertrude Dowdall, travelled by coach to Claremorris on New Year’s Day 1877.  For more information, please click here.

Louisburgh:
In 1919, Sr. Margaret Mary Judge in the Tuam community, mentioned to Archbishop Gilmartin the Sisters’ desire to establish a holiday house by the sea. The Archbishop suggested that they contact Canon Healy in Louisburgh. On the following day Mother Magdalen wrote to Canon Healy, who promptly invited the Sisters to visit Louisburgh. When they came they immediately fell in love with the place and decided to make a foundation there. They rented McDermott’s Hotel pending the erection of the Convent.  For more information, please click here.

Coláiste Muire, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh

Coláiste Muire, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh, Contae Mhaigh Eo

The college in Tourmakeady, which incorporated the convent.

When Ireland became a free and independent state in 1923, a major effort was made to revive the Irish Language. The Department of Education thought that the best way to do that was through the medium of the school which presupposed fluent Irish speaking Primary Teachers. To further this, the department decided to estaificateblish three Preparatory Colleges for girls, one being Coláiste Muire in Mayo. The Sisters of Mercy Tuam were nominated by Archbishop Gilmartin, as the community from which the Principal and Vice Principal might be selected.  For more information, please click here.

Bethany, Claremorris:
In 1990 when the Sisters moved out of Coláiste Muire, Tourmakeady, they transferred to Claremorris and lived in rented accommodation pending the purchase of suitable premises. They hoped for a place in the town and near the church but had no luck. They approached Canon Thomas Waldron to see if he was aware of any suitable property. Nothing seemed to be available. By this time the priests in the parish had decided to repair the Presbytery and Canon Waldron said that if the presbytery suited the needs of the Sisters the priests would move to a smaller house in the Church grounds. The house was purchased and the necessary repairs were carried out. On the 23rd October, 1992, Srs. Martina Scanlon, Colman Moloney, Kieran Kelly, Áine Barrins, Clare Moylan, Juliet Walsh and Maura Walsh moved in.  In 2012/2013 further developments were carried out on Bethany and the building was divided into four apartments.

Glenamaddy

Convent of Mercy, Glenmaddy, Co Galway

In March 1959, a number of parents approached Archbishop Joseph Walshe, with a request for Sisters to establish a Secondary School in Glenamaddy. Fr. Scahill Adm. was sent by the Archbishop to Mother deSales in Tuam with the request. The Sisters agreed to open a Secondary School in Glenamaddy commencing in September 1959.  For more information, please click here.

Mercy Foundation from Tuam to San Diego Diocese, California: 1969 to 2020

St. Didacus 1969 – 1992
On 3rd April, 1969, Mother Paul Moylan in Tuam Convent received a phone call from Monsignor Charles Young, St. Didacus Parish, San Diego requesting Sisters to staff the parish school. The Holy Cross Sisters had staffed the school for 30 years and were no longer available to do so. The Tuam Mercy Sisters voted in favour of going to St. Didacus School, San Diego.  For more information, please click here.

For more information on the mission, please click here.

Closure of Tuam Convent
In 2013, the Sisters left the convent. Some moved to different addresses in Galway, while others found alternative accommodation in Tuam itself. The parish was interested in the vacant Convent and they moved in straightaway. It was later agreed to transfer ownership to the Diocese.

Foundation to Ballinrobe

Convent of Mercy, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo

Ballinrobe convent was founded from Westport, when Fr. Hardiman P.P. applied to Mother Paul Cullen for Sisters. On 19th February, 1851, Srs. Gertrude O’Brien, de Pazzi Dolphen, de Sales Geraghty and Veronica accompanied by Mother Paul set out for Ballinrobe where they were warmly welcomed. The townspeople went to meet them as they approached the town, and they were greeted in the Parish Church on the Castlebar Road. They were escorted to a rented house prepared for them in Main Street. Their ministry included – education of the young and  adults; visitation of the poor, the sick and the aged; care of the sick in the Workhouse hospital and care of the Parish Church and Sacristy. There were many challenges as post famine poverty was evident, cholera was rife among the people they visited. The Sisters opened a school in their back yard immediately. Their first Postulant entered in May and others followed.  A site was obtained and the Convent was built and ready for occupancy in July 1853.  For more information, please click here.

Branch Houses

Clonbur

Convent of Mercy, Clonbur, Co Galway

In July 1924, Fr. Lavelle invited the Ballinrobe Sisters to Clonbur to take charge of the Girls’ Primary School. The Pioneers were Srs. Bernard, Raphael, Joseph and Jarlath. They arrived on 19th October, 1920 and lived in a flat rented from Miss McNally. Srs. Bernard and Jarlath taught in the school, Sr. Raphael taught music and piano, and Sr. Joseph attended to domestic duties. For more information, please click here.

Lecanvey

Convent of Mercy, Lecanvey, Westport, Co Mayo

In 1923 Canon Patterson invited the Sisters to found a Branch House in Lecanvey and to take charge of the Primary School. They accepted the invitation and on 11th January, 1925, Srs. Bernard McEvilly, Sacred Heart Smyth, Gabriel McNally and Elizabeth Sheridan set out for the new foundation. For more information, please click here.

Foundation To Castlebar

Convent of Mercy, Castlebar, Co Mayo

Following the Famine, the people in the West suffered horrific hardship and poverty. Many abandoned their failed potato patches, many sadly died on the roads and others unwillingly made their way to the ‘Workhouse’ in Castlebar. It was in this context that a public meeting was convened in January 1845 with a view to inviting the Mercy Sisters to Castlebar. A property was bought in Rock Square. In May 1953, Mother Teresa White (Superior of St. Vincent’s, Galway), accompanied by Sr. Aloysius Mangan (Superior–Elect), Srs. Vincent Irwin and Mary Martha Murphy travelled to Castlebar to assist in the foundation. Fr. Peter Daly travelled with them. St. Angela’s Convent was established.  For more information, please click here.

Cuan Chaitríona Nursing Home
Cuan Chaitríona opened as a Nursing Home for the Tuam Diocese in 1995 and Sisters from both the Convent and from Ballyhaunis moved in.  Srs. Kevin Casey, Vincent Fahy, Catherine Gibbons, Rita Greaney, Immaculata Hannon and Gabriel McLoughlin from the Convent, and Srs. Dympna Mooney, Paschal Newel and Magdalen Quinn from the Ballyhaunis convent. The first Matron was Sr. Mary Teresa Reilly. The Nursing Home was officially opened in August 1995. It was sold to The Newbrook Group in 2012. It has been extended by the new owners and continues to thrive.

Teach Muire
Srs. Concilio Coyne, Mary Folliard, Cecelia Heslin, Oliver Jennings, Margaret McCann, Agnes O’Rourke, Mary Teresa Reilly and Ignatius Sherrin.

Chapel Street
Srs. Kathleen Donlon, Mary Foy, Frances Gardiner, Ursula Grealy and Mary Johnson.

The Chapel Street houses were sold in July 2016.

Pontoon Road
Among the Sisters living there are: Srs. Nóra Cogger, Pius Dyer, Mary Teresa Ruane and Vianney Warde

Leenane
A request from Canon Michael Walsh for Sisters to help out with the continuity of teaching staff in the National School as well as outreach to the families in the area prompted the foundation in Leenane.  For more information, please click here.

Convent of Mercy, Clifden, Co Galway

In 1822, the town of Clifden consisted of one slated house and a few thatched cottages. In 1830, the town had about thirty shops, a hundred houses and two hotels. Black famine 1847 struck with particular severity in Clifden – hunger, cold, nakedness, famine, fever was on every side. According to Dean Dalton, five thousand people were trying to live on field roots and seaweed. The four graveyards had to be extended and the roads were littered with dead bodies. In 1844, a Workhouse was built in Clifden and here the most primitive conditions prevailed. In 1852, an English traveller found 840 inmates, 830 of whom were Roman Catholic, in the Workhouse. The town of Clifden is distinguished by the extreme effort made to convert the people to Protestantism with schools etc. helping. In 1953, a Protestant Church was erected. This was the situation awaiting Dean McManus when he arrived in 1853. It was in the hope of combating poverty, proselytism, the need for Catholic schools and a Catholic orphanage that he invited the Sisters of Mercy to Clifden. Dean McManus purchased a half acre of land and had the Convent built at the cost of £2,700. The foundation was laid in 1854 and built for the arrival of the Sisters.  For more information, please click here.

Cárna

Convent of Mercy, Cárna, Co Galway

The word Cárna means heap of stones. In 1874 it was a small peninsula of scrubland. The population was 4,180 with 35 townlands and about 300 families. The parish was poor, cut off and vegetation was scant. The people depended on fishing, kelp making and American cheques. Mr. Forbes, a Scotch Presbyterian and his Catholic wife, bought land in Carna, after falling in love with the place when on a holiday there. One of his sons, Colonel Forbes, was anxious to have a college for boys in Carna. He invited the London Jesuits to come but they refused because they felt boys would starve in such a place. When he died, his brother Major Forbes invited Mother Teresa White in Clifden, to send some Sisters. She agreed and brought two Sisters with her – Sr. Joseph Lee, Superior and Sr. Rose Ryan. The two Sisters took up residence in Major Forbes’s thatched cottage on 17th October, 1871. Major Forbes bequeathed his house, stables, 30 acres of land, cows, and a horse and car to the Sisters for the erection of a Roman Catholic Convent, a Roman Catholic School, for the Roman Catholic Religion and for the training of the children in such religion.  For more information, please click here.

Roundstone
The old parochial house in Roundstone was bought by the Sisters in Clifden as a holiday house in the 1980’s. It was sold in 1991.

Amalgamation of the Mercy Sisters in the Archdiocese of Tuam

The Vatican II document, Perfectae Caritatis, said that the appropriate renewal of Religious Life involved two simultaneous processes:

• A continuous return to the sources of all Christian life and the charism of the Foundress
• An adjustment of the community to the changes conditions of the time

For more information, please click here.

Caoineas – Tuam Diocesan Generalate
Following the closure of Árus Mhuire, the Leadership Team lived and worked in rented accommodation until a New Generalate was opened in The Glebe, Tuam on 29th January, 1982. It served as Generalate until the First Congregational Chapter in 1994, and it functioned as the Provincial Office until a suitable office was found in Ballinasloe, in 1998.  It continues as a community residence.

Brighouse
When Sr. Ambrose McCarthy qualified as a social worker she went to work in England. In 1973 a house was bought in Wigan Lane. This was sold in 1974 and 108, Huddersfield Road was purchased on 15th March, 1974. For more information, please click here.  For more information, please click here.

Dunmore
On 4th July, 1925, Incarnate Word Sisters bought a private house from Thomas Conway and remained there until 1978. In their later years there, they opened a Secondary School in their sitting room, and taught there for many years. In 1978, due to lack of personnel, the Sisters decided to withdraw their services from Ireland. In order to ensure the continuation of the Post Primary School and having Sisters in Dunmore, Canon Michael Walsh asked the Sisters of Mercy to take over the Convent and the School. For more information, please click here.

St. Mark’s Community School, Springfield, Tallaght
Due to the rise in population and the rise in the number of Community Schools, Fr. Richard Sherry, in St. Mark’s Parish, wanted to have Sisters of Mercy involved. This was not possible for the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin at the time. The Sisters of Mercy in Tuam Diocese were approached and agreed to accept the invitation. A house was completed beside the Parish Church and three sisters resided there from 1976 – 1977, while they trained as School Counsellors. The first community resided there and taught in St. Mark’s Community School from September 1977. Others joined later and worked as Parish Sisters and Nurses. Following the First Congregational Chapter 1994, the Sisters left Springfield, and the South Central Province took responsibility for Dublin Ministries,

Perú
Following the 1981 Chapter a lot of emphasis was making an option for the poor.  It was decided to send a community to open a mission house in either Africa or South America. Following a lot of consultation in the Diocese and a visit by Srs. Caitlín Conneely and Máire Cannon to North East Brazil, Santiago in Chile, and Lima in Perú, Lima was chosen as the destination. After further discernment Sisters Gemma Cunningham, Kathleen Groarke and Mary Walsh were among the group chosen as the first volunteers.  They prepared for the Mission and were missioned in the Cathedral in Tuam on 26th January, 1986.  After a brief time in Lima, they set out for Cochabamba in Bolivia, where they spent some months learning Spanish. They lived in rented accommodation in Lima until a parish was chosen for the mission. Eventually, a house was bought in Villa El Salvador in May 1987. Later a second house was bought in Las Brisas. The Sisters worked very hard in the parishes and were immediately involved in the life of the poor there. Each brought her professional skills to the area. Following the foundation of a new Mercy Congregation in 1994, the mission in Perú became the responsibility of the Southern Province.

East Acton, London
In 1982, a house was purchased in East Acton in London. Srs. Edna McNicholas and Catherine McInerney who worked with women in a London Hostel during the previous year moved in. The Sisters who lived in East Acton were committed to work with the Irish Chaplaincy in London. They also got involved in parish work, education and hospital chaplaincy. The house was closed and sold in 2009.

Mercy Commitment to move to poorer areas
For more information, please click here.

Ministry of Education:
In 1966, Minister Donogh O’Malley announced Free Post Primary Education for 1967 and the Free School Transport Scheme was in place for Post Primary students who resided 4.8 Km away from the school in September 1967.  This led to an increase in numbers and easier access to schools.

For more information on Education in the Western Province, please click here.

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